Beware of Greeks (Union Members, Insurance Companies, Doctors, Hospitals and Pharmaceutical Companies) Bearing Financial Gifts)

In other words,  Do Not Trust — Union Members, Insurance Companies, Doctors, Hospitals and Pharmaceutical Companies bearing gifts.

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts is an allusion to the story of the wooden horse of Troy, used by the Greeks to trick their way into the city. It is recorded in Virgil’s Aeneid, Book 2, 19 BC: “Do not trust the horse, Trojans. Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts.”

Of course that English version is a translation. Another translation, by John Dryden, has “Trust not their presents, nor admit the horse.”

The same thought was also recorded by Sophocles (496 – 406 BC), in Ajax:

Nought from the Greeks towards me hath sped well.
So now I find that ancient proverb true,
Foes’ gifts are no gifts: profit bring they none.

I hope that the Obama Administration and all active reform participants/organizations believe that – Foes’ gifts from Union Members, Insurance Companies, Doctors, Hospitals and Pharmaceutical Companies are …..  NO GIFTS.

It is amazing what a little Health Care Financing & Delivery Reform Fear will do.  These “health care industry leaders are agreeing to take steps that could save the country $2 trillion over the next 10 years”.  If you believe that I have a Bridge in Brooklyn that you might be interested in buying.

Subject: Major Health Care Announcement – Watch it Live!
Friends,

This afternoon, President Obama will be making a major announcement: health care industry leaders are agreeing to take steps that could save the country $2 trillion over the next 10 years.

The coalition taking this action represents union members, insurance companies, doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, and they have agreed to reduce the annual health care spending growth rate by 1.5 percentage points for the next 10 years.

This is big news for our country and for families who are struggling with the high cost of health care. The steps these organizations have agreed to take, combined with comprehensive health care reform, could result in savings of roughly $2,500 for American families.

The President will be speaking today about this important step forward, and you can watch his remarks live at 12:30 PM EDT on www.HealthReform.gov <http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&amp;enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTQ3ODAyNyZtZXNzYWdlaWQ9UFJELUJVTC00NzgwMjcmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjE1NDk0OTQyJmVtYWlsaWQ9a2FyaW4uYW5kZXJzb242QHZlcml6b24ubmV0JnVzZXJpZD1rYXJpbi5hbmRlcnNvbjZAdmVyaXpvbi5uZXQmZ> . While you’re there, be sure to sign the statement of support for comprehensive reform and encourage your friends and colleagues to visit the site.

Today’s announcement is another big step toward comprehensive reform and with your help we will make reform a reality.

Sincerely,

Jenny Backus
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services