Topic: Humana

A local news report from Palm Springs reveals that the Clinton Foundation received millions of dollars from a local golf tournament that traditionally benefited local charities and the Eisenhower Medical Center. The report highlights that the foundation received significantly more money than local organizations over a four-year period.

Aetna announced it would cut its participation in the Affordable Care Act exchanges by two-thirds after the Justice Department blocked its merger with Humana. CEO Mark Bertolini had previously threatened to reduce the company's exchange footprint if the merger was enjoined, leading to accusations of a "quid pro quo" scam. The situation has renewed calls for a single-payer healthcare system as insurance premiums continue to rise for individual citizens.

The hosts explain a perceived scam where pharmaceutical companies drastically inflate the price of generic pills, which insurance companies pay while keeping patient co-pays low. They predict this model will eventually be used to drain the Social Security system through high Medicare Part D premiums. They advise listeners to check the actual cost of their medications on pharmacy receipts.

John C. Dvorak proposes a theory that the healthcare bill is a "Chicago pump and dump" scheme designed to inflate insurance company stocks. He notes that insurance stocks hit 52-week highs while company insiders are aggressively selling their shares before the final bill is reconciled.