Good Grief, Charlie Baker

Charlie Baker is going to have to do some serious spin on this on…

As Republican Charles Baker seeks to capture the independent vote that bolstered U.S. Sen. Scott Brown’s win, a Herald review shows Harvard Pilgrim tripled the former CEO’s annual salary as it hit consumers with a 150 percent increase in premiums.

Brown rode to victory as an independent voice on health care, a position critics say Baker will have a tough time following with those numbers.

Baker defends his record and argues that Gov. Deval Patrick is late to the health-care discussion. He said he’s been “shouting from the rooftops” about the need for hospitals and medical providers to make the cost of health care more transparent, and pushing for legislation that would control costs.

“My salary’s been a matter of public record for 20 years, and I’m probably the only candidate,” for whom that’s the case, Baker said. Baker’s salary as CEO of Harvard Pilgrim surged from $548,351 in 1999 to a high of $1.7 million in 2008. He earned $1.3 million in seven months in 2009 before he resigned to run for governor last summer, filings with the state Attorney General show.

Over the same period, premiums at Harvard Pilgrim went up by 100 to 200 percent.

When Baker took the reins in 1999, rates on Harvard Pilgrim’s most popular plans ranged from about $166 to $187 a month per member. Those rates soared to $425 to $483 a month, as of April, according to filings with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance.

Two months ago, the Commonwealth elected a Republican to the Senate due in part to his promise to be the 41st vote against the health care bill. With health care being at the front line of today’s political battleground, will those same voters ignore the fact that Charlie Baker was “part of the problem” with the health care industry?

“You have to look at him as the incumbent in terms of health-care costs,” said Democratic operative Michael P. Shea. “If you look at his salary and the increases that people are paying now, how can he say he did a good job? It’s absolutely fair to pin this on him. He hasn’t shown he’s part of the solution, he’s part of the problem.”

Patrick is expected to keep the focus on health care – and keep the heat on Baker – as he proposes a so-called soft cap on premium increases. His plan pits him squarely against health insurers in an intensifying three-way race that also features unenrolled candidate Tim Cahill, the state treasurer.

Baker said Patrick is trying to shift the focus.

“This probably beats talking about spending and taxes and unemployment if you’re him,” Baker said. “I’ve supported a lot of things that would put my organization and my industry at risk. I have no idea if it’s going to be good or bad for my company or my industry, but it’s the right thing to do for the people of Massachusetts. I got a lot of grief from people for doing that.”

Sooner or later, he will have to address the real issue, rather than playing the “I’m rubber and you’re glue” argument, just Deval Patrick will have to answer to his criticisms too. A guy making nearly $2 million a year, while us regular people are paying painfully high health care premiums…maybe, according to Harvard Pilgrim, he did deserve the salary bump…but anyone who didn’t see their salaries triple may think differently.

Mass GOP Statement on Scott Brown’s Victory

Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Nassour released the following statement regarding Senator-elect Scott Brown’s (R-MA) victory this evening:

“Tonight’s historic, come-from-behind victory by Senator-elect Brown will serve as a blueprint for our Republican candidates running in Massachusetts in 2010 and beyond. His relentless focus on fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and a promise to serve as an independent voice for Bay Staters resonated with not only Republicans, but also independents and Democrats who are tired of politics as usual and one-party rule. It is my sincere hope that Senator-elect Brown will be seated immediately so that he can roll up his sleeves for Massachusetts, and work toward continuing Senator Kennedy’s legendary constituent services.”

An Open Letter To The People of Massachusetts from Scott Brown

Dear Friend,

On Tuesday, we will have a choice in the special election for United States Senate. We can send another rubber stamp to Washington, or we can try something new: We can elect an independent voice for all of Massachusetts — and that’s the United States Senator I promise to be.

The choice we make will send a powerful message to the big spenders in Washington. They need to quit expanding our government and defending wasteful spending, and start expanding this economy and defending our jobs.

Some people say I don’t have all the advantages in this race, and that’s fine by me. Being the underdog has taught me to work harder, and to better appreciate the opportunities of our state and our country.

I’m running because I want to be a voice for people. I’m alarmed that our nation’s spending and debt has risen along with unemployment. I want to stop terrorists who are plotting to strike our country again. And while I believe every American deserves health insurance, I do not think we should plunge ahead with a healthcare bill that will raise taxes, increase spending and lower the quality of care. I’d like to see us start over and take our time to do it right.

These are just some of the challenges facing us. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I hope you feel the same sense of urgency as I do. It’s far too important to sit out this election.

I want you to know that no matter what happens on Election Day, I consider myself a winner for having gone through this campaign. I was born and raised in Massachusetts, and I’ve lived here my entire life. But it wasn’t until now that I got a chance to fully appreciate the true spirit of the people of Massachusetts. They are the most patriotic, hard-working and optimistic people in the world. I have come away with a much deeper love and appreciation for them.

For all of that, and for the privilege of meeting with you in your neighborhoods, your homes, and where you work, I thank you.

Scott Brown

Brown Responds To Obama

Today, President Barack Obama mocked Scott Brown references to his personal truck at the rally for Martha Coakley, saying that “everybody can buy a truck.”

Scott Brown responded to Obama’s mockery with the following statement:

Mr. President, unfortunately in this economy, not everybody can buy a truck. My goal is to change that by cutting spending, lowering taxes and letting people keep more of their own money.

Maybe under Obama’s economic plan, everybody is getting a truck…

Martha Coakley: “We Need To Get Taxes Up.”