- Home
- About Us
- Contributors
- Departments
- Topics
- Back Issues
- Weekly Archives
- AmSpecBlog
- Subscribe
- Newsletter
- Advertise
- Donate
- Contact Us
- Daily Digest
- Templeton Essays
AmSpecBlog
Buying Health Insurance at a Government Store
Bloomberg News reports that:
House Democrats are weighing a new proposal in response to Obama’s request for legislation. An outline of the plan obtained by Bloomberg News would require Americans to have insurance with some exceptions.
It would probably exempt those who can prove they can’t find an affordable policy. There could be a tax penalty for those with adequate financial resources who don’t elect to get insurance, according to the outline.
The outline suggests consumers could elect to keep their individual health insurance policies. Still, it says that “by and large” the nation’s market for individually purchased health insurance policies would move to a new federally operated exchange. It would permit both individuals and employees of small firms to buy policies at less expensive group rates.
Let's set aside for a now the fact that such a proposal would require Obama to reverse his position on an individual mandate from the campaign, and just focus on the matter of choice. Under the current system, according to Kaiser Family Foundation data, only about 6 percent of the covered population obtains their insurance on their own. About 31 percent already have government health care of some sort, while 63 percent obtain it through their employers. While Democrats talk of people being able to keep the insurance they want, it won't really be feasible under the system they're proposing. Anybody who receives health care through their employer is limited to whatever health plans their employer chooses under the current flawed system, and if employers decide to start dumping their employees on to the national insurance exchange, then suddenly they'd be losing their plans and forced to pick new ones from the national exchange. And as the article states, at least under this one proposal, the remaining individual market would "by and large" move to the national exchange.
While the promise of the national exchange is that it will be a giant buffet with lots of plans to choose from offering comprehensive coverage at lower rates, without discriminating against those with preexisting conditions, the reality will be a lot different. Government will be running the exchange, offering a government-run plan under Obama's vision, and regulating what participating insurers can or can't cover. To borrow and expand on an analogy once used by Regina Herzlinger, this would be the equivalent of a having everybody purchase their cars at a government auto dealer in which the government dictates what colors cars can be, whether or not they have a leather interior, or heated seats, or satellite radio, or any other features. This isn't reform, it is merely doubling down on the failed system that we already have in place, in which states mandate the type of benefits insurance policies have to cover, driving up the cost of insurance and restricting choice.
Comments
Leave a Comment
ncatty| 6.8.09 @ 11:48AM
I am one of the 5% who obtain insurance on our won. This is what I feared. Under the Obama plan I get to keep buying my own insurance and pay for yours too.
Pingback| 6.8.09 @ 12:20PM
Insurance Blog » The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.8.09 @ 1:01PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.8.09 @ 2:03PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.8.09 @ 2:03PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Stan Redmond| 6.8.09 @ 2:45PM
While it is a wonderful plan on paper to have universal health insurance it frightens me. With the politicians making decisions on what to fund and how much each victimhood group and lobby group will be controlling our healthcare. White Christian men will be the continued punching bag. the gay AIDS lobby will get their boost. The minority victimhood groups will get their preference. Women? Look at the NHS in Brittain, there is 8 times more money spent on women's care then on men's health. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/911198.stm)
Your care will be directly reflected by your victimhood status as defined by politicians. If you're not a victim, you're screwed.
AND THINK OF THE CHILDREN of course.
Pingback| 6.8.09 @ 2:53PM
Health and Fitness Articles | Health Articles links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.8.09 @ 2:53PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.8.09 @ 3:21PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … | Your Quote Sto links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.8.09 @ 3:30PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … | My Health and links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Oldefarte| 6.8.09 @ 3:46PM
My insurance, as a 63 year old retiree and through my former employer, is $600/month and has a $2100 annual deductible [basically, except for a major medical emergency, I'm paying my own medical bills]. I am at present waiting to reach 65 and Medicare. Who knows if this universal healthcare will be beneficial to me, but I'm sure that its requirement of covering everyone cannot be a good thing. It's got to be another form of welfare, where I'll be paying my own insurance and also that of the indigent/poverty population as well. What gripes me is that there are some people out there who have/had overly expensive houses, cars, vacations, lifestyles,etc; and still claim they don't have [and can't afford insurance]. Instead of buying insurance, they're blowing their discretionary funds on garbage/wasteful things.
Pingback| 6.8.09 @ 8:31PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … | Fund Loans - A links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.8.09 @ 10:13PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … | Money Blog : 1 links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.9.09 @ 1:48AM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … | Fund Loans - I links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.9.09 @ 2:59AM
Individual Health Insurance - Harkin optimistic health-care reform coming this year - links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.9.09 @ 5:44AM
Buying Health Insurance at a Government Store « Evynn’s Weblog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.9.09 @ 9:58AM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … | Asurion Insura links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Maria| 6.9.09 @ 10:32AM
And how to pay for all this reform?? As economist Marty Sullivan noted this morning at Tax.com, health care reform legislation = major tax legislation.
Pingback| 6.10.09 @ 10:35AM
Lucky Luck » The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Buying Health Insurance at a … links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.13.09 @ 8:08AM
Individual Health Insurance - Harkin: Health care reform a major priority - Sioux Cit links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 6.14.09 @ 4:22PM
Individual Health Insurance - Health plan would tax medical benefits - The Washington links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
ed-hardy| 6.22.09 @ 3:14AM
What gripes me is that there are some people out there who have/had overly expensive houses, cars, vacations, lifestyles,etc; and still claim they don't have [and can't afford insurance]. Instead of buying insurance..
ed hardy
ed-hardy| 6.22.09 @ 4:13AM
As a new blogger, I was struggling a bit with how to remember where and when I had posted comments to blogs I follow. Thank you for the link to Back Type.
Do people really start comments with “First”? Isn’t it obvious who has the first comment to a post?
Your point about adding value early is excellent. It would be nice to get a lot of praise for a particular post (at this point, I would take any comment on my new blog), but why not join the conversation instead? Feedback is a wonderful tool, but it is not for the faint of heart or those whose egos bruise easily. ed hardy
Adding comments creates avenues for new discussions or leads readers to new information they would have never come across on their own.
wholesale shoes| 7.8.09 @ 8:18AM
We are professional cheap kids shoes online store .We provide Nike shoes cheap ,Nike air jordan,cheap kids clothing
cheap womens clothing,Nike shoes online store,Nike shoes cheap,Nike shoes for kids,air jordan sneakers,nike air jordan,air jordans,brand shoe,shoes brand, dropship Nike shoes , brand clothes,brand clothes ,shoes brand,cheap kids clothing for cheap wholesale Air Jordans shoes for kids & women.
miim| 8.25.09 @ 2:39AM
You are right.I will buy.comfortable shoes
nike shoes
UGG shoes
cheap NFL jersey
uggboots| 8.31.09 @ 3:35AM
ugg bailey button boots
Classic Tall Ugg Boots
uggboots| 8.31.09 @ 3:35AM
ugg boots sale
Classic Short Ugg Boots
women's handbags discount| 9.4.09 @ 4:24AM
Oh well, my colleagues have introduced an women's handbags discount online store. They said that price and quality are very good. Can you give me more suggestions?
Fashion Clothing| 9.15.09 @ 3:06AM
Nice Friend. I will keep visiting this very often.I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading.Cud U Give Me Some Information On Fashion Clothing Online.
Pingback| 9.16.09 @ 8:36PM
Latest Insurance news - Insurance Companies | My Bigge | nc-mortgage links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.29.09 @ 9:51PM
Latest Insurance news - Lost Health Insurance? Take Ca | nc-mortgage links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.30.09 @ 7:18PM
Latest Insurance news - HolyCoast.com: The Obama Healt | optionslinx links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 10.5.09 @ 12:20PM
Latest Insurance news - Bespoke Investment Group: Bett | Nanoblogger links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 10.10.09 @ 9:56AM
Latest Insurance news - Insurance Companies | My Bigge | nc-mortgage links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 10.20.09 @ 4:21PM
Latest Insurance news - HolyCoast.com: The Obama Healt | optionslinx links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
rentacar| 10.28.09 @ 5:33PM
This article is very interesting. Thank you very much for sharing .
ugg classic cardy| 12.4.09 @ 9:17AM
Welcome to our website: http://www.infls.com
As the commodities we supply are of excellent quality and low price,
we have won a very good reputation from our clients all over the world.
If you are interested in any of our products, please don't hesitate to contact with me by email.
i trust that through our cooperation we shall be able to conclude some transactions with you in the near future.
Website: http://www.mbtshoe.co.uk
Best regards!
replica rolex paypal| 12.9.09 @ 1:44AM
Great post!
replica rolex paypalI believe you will like it!
Thank you!
replica rolex paypal| 12.9.09 @ 9:24PM
Nice post!
Pls check our web ,you will find the replica watches paypalyou like.
Thank you!
tag hauer watches| 12.9.09 @ 10:56PM
tag hauer watches
Abercrombie Fitch| 12.18.09 @ 3:56AM
one day i went shopping outside,and in an ed hardy store,I found some kinds of ed hardy i love most they are Your website is really good Thank you for the information Abercrombie And Fitch Men Shirts Abercrombie And Fitch Men Shirts Abercrombie And Fitch Men Jeans & Pants Abercrombie And Fitch Men Jeans & Pants
affiliate| 1.26.10 @ 1:35AM
beijing shenzhen
affiliate