OPINION:
Washington either does not understand or refuses to acknowledge that keeping costs down and protecting the interests of the consumer are best achieved by assuring good competition among private enterprise in a market characterized by a balance of supply and demand. The primary health-plan objectives of both major parties can be achieved pretty simply, and here’s how:
First, the government must define, by gender, the minimum content (deductibles, co-pays, items covered, etc.) of the basic, standard health-care plan. Insurance companies must sell across state lines at prices based on government-defined age brackets. Companies must sell basic health-care plans priced within 10 percent of the lowest-priced basic health plan in order to be able to sell auto, home or life insurance in a state. Major extra-cost items, such as student coverage and coverage up to age 26, as well as pre-existing conditions, must be eliminated from the basic health-care plans. The risk pool for pre-existing conditions should be covered by government. People must have had health insurance for two years after the start of the program in order to be covered by this protection. Health-care insurance paid by employers should be taxable for the amount of the premium exceeding 10 percent of income (to offset the government expense of this plan). The government should invest to expand the supply of health-care providers.
With a standard, easily comparable and understandable plan, consumers can make their own decisions about what to buy and from whom. Government might even define standardized content of two or three ’upgrade’ packages. Any options beyond that would be up to the creativity of the insurance companies.
RON KURTZ
Alpharetta, Ga.
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