The American Spectator

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David Hogberg replies: br> Granted, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) provides a pretty good model for health insurance, primarily because it provides federal employees with choice, and private insurance companies must compete for their health insurance dollars. /p>

However, Senator Feingold's plan isn't entirely faithful to that model. The difference is that the federal government does not set a list of minimum benefits that must be covered by policies offered under the FEHBP. Feingold's plan requires state governments to do exactly that for its programs for the uninsured. Feingold's plan would be much improved if he allowed states full flexibility on this point, so that at least some states could experiment with programs emphasizing low-cost consumer-oriented health insurance policies.

Finally, the FEHBP's great strength is that it promotes competition among insurance companies, something that is in short supply in too many private insurance markets. State governments prevent small groups and individuals from purchasing health insurance out of state. This means that small groups and individuals in overly-regulated states must either purchase high-cost policies or go without insurance. Almost every other product and service can be purchased across state lines. Why, in the 21st century, is health insurance treated differently?

Feingold's bill needs to be coupled with something like the Health Care Choice Act so that people can buy insurance across state lines, thereby making insurance more competitive and driving prices down. Were Senator Feingold to do that, he might find some common ground with conservatives.

p> THE NAME GAME br> Re: William Tucker's O! Obama! : /p>

In the interests of not furthering the "Borking of Rush," so powerfully analyzed yesterday by Jeffrey Lord, could we correct William Tucker's assertion in "O! Obama!" that "Rush Limbaugh calls him 'Osama Obama.'"

The phrase is not Rush Limbaugh's! Rush was simply quoting, and quoting exactly, the hysterically funny gaffe of Senator Ted Kennedy at the National Press Club, the transcript of which is available on the Washington Post's website. His exact quote, in response to a question from the audience about Senator Obama's future was: "Why don't we just ask Osama bin -- Osama Obama -- Obama what -- since he won by such a big amount. Seriously, Senator Obama is really unique and special."

p>Osama bin Obama! From Ted Kennedy's mouth to Rush Limbaugh's golden EIB microphone. You couldn't make it up!

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