Expect sweet talk from the insurance companies

Everybody needs a friend. Whether it’s a family member, a public-school buddy or your faithful dog, it’s comforting to have that one person or thing you can turn to in times of need. Regardless of how the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the legality of President Obama’s health care law, you will now have the best friend you ever wished for: your health insurance company.

Yes, it’s hard to believe that a massive, multi-billion-dollar enterprise like the health insurers can be your best friends, but get ready for a torrential campaign to win the hearts of every living, breathing American.

Let’s assume the Supreme Court decides that the requirement that everybody have some form of health insurance is legal. That means that upward of 12 million people will need to buy some type of insurance. Within hours of the court’s decision, the insurance companies will begin a massive campaign to persuade uninsured citizens to sign up with them. If you think you’ve seen true love in the past from anyone, it will be nothing compared to the new dose of corporate love that we’ll be exposed to.

Can you imagine an insurance company as your closest pal? That’s the message we’ll hear on radio, television and the Internet. “We’re the company that never turns down people for pre-existing health problems. We’re happy to insure your living-at-home son or daughter until they’re 26. We’ll pay more for out-of-network treatment than any other company. Going to the hospital? We’ll pay half the cost of a taxicab ride.” Talk about feeling the love. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

Now, let’s assume that so-called Obamacare is struck down by the court, in whole or in part. Are those corporate giants going to take a long summer vacation? Nope. Fearing that the election-minded Congress will quickly pass all types of laws covering the best of the president’s health care proposals, Americans will be treated to an avalanche of advertising telling us that the companies would never do anything to harm their insured customers.