I wish I could say that this book was full of lies and exaggerations, because that would make reflections on the Health Care debate much more palatable. Much of what Potter says are things I'd prefer not to acknowledge, and hearing it from an industry insider only makes everything sound worse. It was especially revealing to see how the spin authored by Insurance PR staffs to protect the industry and not the public became sound bites for political activits supposedly acting on the behalf of the public. But too much of makes sense, and too much of it is verifiable to dismiss what he states. The book is something we all should be aware of as the health care debate and the future adjustments continue. Valuable insights and lessons. ( )

The personal revelation story part of this drags a little too much, diluting the message quite a bit. ( )

Potter's book is part autobiography and wholly expose from within of how the medical insurance industry corporations have repeatedly derailed efforts at health care reform. He also details the industry's duplicitous campaign, partly successful, to defeat the health care reform legislation which President Obama sought. Potter moves on from there to summarize the "playbook" industries use to defeat reform efforts and outlines exactly how tobacco, BP and big banks have used the playbook to deflect reform. That's a lot of useful, and action-inspiring, information in 250 pages. ( )

Wendell Potter has one message in this book: Be skeptical. As a former journalist and health insurance industry PR guru, he used his skills to deflect public attention from damaging scandals, sowed misinformation to mislead the public and increase corporate profits, until he became so sick of it that he had to quit. He wrote this exposé on the industry in an effort to educate the public on the tactics used to deceive. The public relations field is highly skilled at manipulation via spin, and the big, profitable industries (natural resources, tobacco and alcohol, health care) use every possible avenue to protect their bottom line, whether it means claiming to have your best interests at heart (they don't), funding "grass-roots" front groups, planting false media stories, flogging paid testimonials from celebrities, or in general, spreading unfounded fear.

This is an eye-opening book that many people need to take note of. In particular, Americans need to educate themselves on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Health insurance companies with ERISA-protected plans cannot be sued by an employee if denied coverage for treatment or procedure. Too many people have discovered this after it was too late. ( )

A decent look behind the curtain of the health insurance industry and their less than ethical practices. Also a good resource for anyone trying to understand the role of the industry in shaping healthcare policy in the US. Of course, the pretext of the book (Insurance company insider) makes it susceptible to discounts of being a diatribe by a 'disgruntled former employee'. Overall, worth the read, a good overview of the industry. ( )