Anthem Blue Cross raises rates, Villaraigosa orders layoffs, and a preview of the big game on Super Bowl Sunday. Then, it's FilmWeek on AirTalk. Larry and the critics discuss the week's new releases, including From Paris with Love, Dear John, and District 13: Ultimatum. Later, the true stories behind the film Up in the Air.
Is Anthem gouging its customers?
Health insurer Anthem Blue Cross is increasing its rates for Californians with individual policies, with reports of premium increases of as much as 39%. Individual policies are often used by those who are self-employed, or who do not receive coverage through their employer. In response, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has called for an investigation of the rate hikes. Under California law, insurers can increase rates an anytime, but must notify the state Department of Insurance and prove that they are spending 70% of premiums on medical care.
Guests:
Robert Zirkelbach, Press Secretary, America's Health Insurance Plans, a national trade association representing nearly 1,300 health insurance companies
Daryl Ng, Spokesman for Steve Poizner, California Insurance Commissioner
Shana Alex Lavarreda, MPP, Director of Health Insurance Studies, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
Villaraigosa orders 1,000 jobs cut: end of LA budget impasse?
The City Council held off, but yesterday Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa ordered layoffs for 1,000 city employees. Will the salary savings plug the city’s budget hole, allowing continued funding for arts and social services? Or will further cuts be necessary? We get the latest on LA’s budget crisis.
Guests:
Miguel Santana, City Administrative Officer, City of LA
Richard Alarcon, Councilman for the 7th District of Los Angeles
Raphael Sonenshein, Professor, Political Science at CSU Fullerton.
Florida gets ready for Super Bowl XLIV
The Indianapolis Colts face off against the New Orleans Saints on Super Bowl Sunday. This is the Saints’ first trip to the Super Bowl, and while the Colts are favored to win, the City of New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras and football fever. The City of Miami will host the big game with a halftime performance by The Who, kicking off at 3:28 pm Pacific Time.
Guests:
Phil Latzman, an anchor and host at WLRN-Miami Herald News
Athan Atsales, LA Times football editor
FilmWeek
Larry Mantle and KPCC critics Jean Oppenheimer and Andy Klein of Brand X discuss the week’s new film releases including From Paris with Love, Dear John, District 13: Ultimatum, and Frozen. The critics will also discuss the Academy Award nominations and the Best of British Noir series at the NuArt. TGI-FilmWeek!
FilmWeek Oscar Preview at the Egyptian
On Sunday, February 28th, AirTalk travels to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for our 8th annual Academy Awards preview show, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Find more info here.
Guests:
Jean Oppenheimer, KPCC film critic
Andy Klein, KPCC and Brand X film critic
True stories from Up in the Air
In the film Up in the Air, George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a corporate frequent flier whose job is to tell others that they've lost theirs. But to cast Bingham's subjects, director Jason Reitman searched for people who had been laid off in real life. He placed an ad in the paper about a documentary seeking interviews with people who had lost their jobs. After initial interviews about their experiences, Reitman used several participants in the film. Larry Mantle talks with two people who answered the ad and took part in the movie.
Guests:
Arthur ‘Art’ Hill - Detroit
Arthur still feels the pain after losing his job in 2005 with a major automotive company. He was close to retirement, but was let go without any compensation and went eight months without pay. He was at the point of almost losing his house, but the union that he worked for stepped in and procured some of his retirement benefits. He has said how grateful he was to Jason Reitman for giving him the chance to tell everyone what happened to him and for making the country aware of how many people are facing a similar plight.
Marlene Gorkiewicz - Detroit
Marlene worked in HR for a major airline and saw Jason Reitman’s ad in the paper looking for people who were recently laid off. She was selected to participate and when they filmed her, it was right before her last day of work so she felt extremely emotional. She doesn’t believe that an actor could really convey what it truly means to be let go, so she thinks Jason was brilliant to use real people. Marlene has been out of work since last March and is still trying to find a good job.