Two of America's biggest health insurers have been asking their employees to lobby members of Congress about health reform. The non-profit group Consumer Watchdog is asking California's attorney general to investigate.
United HealthCare and Anthem/Wellpoint have collectively contacted more than 100,000 employees.
United Health Care says it has advocates that can give workers talking points on health care reform. Anthem/Wellpoint asks that people write letters urging Congress to reconsider their present course.
Consumer Watchdog's Judy Dugan says it's outrageous.
"These companies are providing sample letters to send to Congress," complains Dugan. "They are offering to put the employee through on the phone, right then and there during business hours."
Coercing or influencing employees' political activity is against the law.
Insurers say they're not forcing anybody to do anything.
