Cheney Dropped By White House HMO

September 7, 2005 | Issue 41•36

WASHINGTON, DC—Citing Dick Cheney's pre-existing health conditions and his refusal to meet regularly with his primary care physician, the White House's health-insurance provider terminated the vice president's coverage Monday.

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Vice President Dick Cheney.

AmeriHealth, the parent company of the HMO serving the executive branch, issued a "termination of benefits" notice to Cheney Aug. 3. The form letter, addressed to "Member #782B-11107-3905C (Cheney, Richard Bruce)," informed the vice president that his health coverage would cease, "effective immediately."

Speaking to reporters Monday, Cheney expressed dismay over being dropped from the HMO.

"I am a victim of a bureaucracy," Cheney said. "This action on the part of AmeriHealth is exceedingly unfair."

In the form letter, AmeriHealth customer-service manager Bob Kielas apologized for any inconvenience caused by the adjustment, and encouraged the vice president to contact an AmeriHealth customer-service representative to make arrangements for his final payments.

Cheney said he was on hold for "almost half an hour" during a phone call he made to AmeriHealth shortly after receiving the notice. "This is a contemptible way to treat a customer," he said. "It's complete bullshit, to speak frankly."

Cheney said he was "reasonably certain" that his premiums were still being automatically deducted biweekly from his pay.

"I'm supposed to be covered," the vice president said. "This is a nightmare."

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