Monday, December 14, 2009
First there was “astroturfing”—the creation of phony grass roots movements that give politicians the impression of popular feelings on an issue. Now, there’s “virtual-turfing,” in which the health insurance industry is using online games to get Facebook users to tell Congress how much they hate the reform plans on Capitol Hill.
A key part of playing Facebook games is the collection of virtual currency, which an industry front known as Get Health Reform Right.org is exploiting. The group offers the currency to gamers as long as they fill out surveys which automatically generate an email to members of Congress that reads: “I am concerned a new government plan could cause me to lose the employer coverage I have today. More government bureaucracy will only create more problems, not solve the ones we have.”
Get Health Reform Right is sponsored by the Association of Health Insurance Advisors, America’s Health Insurance Plans, BlueCross BlueShield Association, Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, and National Association of Health Underwriters, among others.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Health Insurers Caught Paying Facebook Gamers Virtual Currency to Oppose Reform Bill (by Nicholas Carlson, Silicon Alley Insider)
Florida Judges and Lawyers Not Allowed to be Facebook Friends (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
IBM Employee Loses Health Benefits over Facebook Fun Photos (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
Robbery Suspect Saved by Facebook Post (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
Stupid Criminal of the Month…Bragged of Fugitive Life on Facebook (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
Comments