Showtime to Air Movie Profiling Managed Care Critic
Showtime Networks on May 26 will premiere the movie " Damaged Care," which profiles former managed care medical reviewer Dr. Linda Peeno. The film chronicles Peeno's career as she moves from a medical reviewer and director of two managed care organizations to being an "outspoken critic" of the industry. Since leaving the managed care industry, Peeno has testified before Congress and state legislatures on managed care. She currently lectures, consults and writes about health system and managed care issues. "Damaged Care" premieres May 26 at 8 p.m. ET. Check local listings for show times (Showtime release, 5/9). A Washingtonpost.com "Live Online" discussion with Peeno about the film and managed health care issues is available at http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/02/health052102.htm (Trafford, Live Online, Washingtonpost.com, 5/22).
AAHP Response
In response to the movie's debut, the American Association of Health Plans issued a release calling the "trial-by-anecdote tactics" of such films "irresponsible." AAHP says that movies focusing on "'so-called' health care horror stories" have become a "poor substitute for the real debate" lawmakers and public health officials should be having over issues such as how to provide coverage for the uninsured, how to control increasing health care costs and how to resolve health care disputes without "resorting to expensive lawsuits" (AAHP release, 5/15). A Washingtonpost.com discussion with AAHP Communications Director Susan Pisano on the same issues is available online (Live Online, Washingtonpost.com, 5/22).
