From the Desk of Judith Stein…
June 5, 2009 at 4:42 pm Judith Stein 3 comments
Senator Baucus, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, indicated yesterday that, despite prior comments distancing health reform efforts from a public plan, such a plan would be included in Senate legislation. Thank goodness.
Finally, it appears that legislators are listening to the people – and to experts like Nobel Laureate economist Paul Krugman, who offers two important pieces of advice in today’s New York Times:
“1) Don’t trust the insurance industry.
2) Don’t trust the insurance industry.”
The insurance industry is finally suggesting that they can operate health plans more efficiently and economically. They are even willing to accept more regulation. Why? Because they fear a public health insurance plan.
For an industry that so enthusiastically supported “competition” and “choice” when the Medicare Part D-ebacle was pushed through Congress, they suddenly seem to want to limit choice to only private plans.
To paraphrase Mr. Krugman, how can we expect to fix a broken game if we’re just fielding the same sullied players? Kind of makes you stop and think.
Entry filed under: Health Care Reform, Public vs. Private Health Coverage.
CMA Health Policy Blog 
1.
A Chiplin | June 16, 2009 at 7:11 pm
…and there is a new version of “Harry and Louise” making the rounds. the tactic this time around is to say that a public plan will drive private insurers out of the market. perhaps the private market will be forced to design better coverage options and thusl enliven competition.
2.
JANNELL BUCKLEY | June 19, 2009 at 9:13 pm
I love the idea of a public health plan. I believe that this public health plan should be a barometer for all private plans in terms of coverage, quality and fees. In the end it does not matter which one is a good health plan or a bad health plan when it comes to saving money. Having a public plan in the middle of all plans holds every party involwed accountable in the end. That is; the patient, the physician and the representatives of the people.
3.
Judith Stein | June 22, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Thank you for your comments.
Have you read Paul Krugman in today’s NY Times? As he asks, what is health care reform for, people or insurance companies? Write your Congress people. Tell them to support a TRUE public health plan option. And tell your friends to tell their congresspeople too!