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Joy125

Posted Wednesday, October 07, 2009 2:27 PM

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FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, AN OP ED

A Texas-Sized Health Care Failure

By CAPPY McGARR
October 5, 2009

Cappy McGarr, was the chairman of the Texas Insurance Purchasing Alliance from 1993 to 1995.

THE Senate Finance Committee has for the moment rejected the idea of creating a public health insurance plan. It’s difficult to see how Americans will be able to find good, affordable health insurance without one. But if we are to go forward without a public option, it is more important than ever to make sure that we get another part of health reform right: the exchanges, where it is envisioned that small businesses and people without employer-sponsored insurance could shop for policies of their own.

Back in the 1990s, I was the founding chairman of Texas’ state-run purchasing alliance — an exchange, essentially — which ultimately failed. There are lessons to be learned from that experience, as well as the similar failures of other states to create useful exchanges.

The Texas Insurance Purchasing Alliance, created by the Texas Legislature in 1993, was meant to help small businesses, which often cannot afford coverage for their employees. (More than half of all uninsured Americans work for small businesses.) Small businesses are charged higher rates — on average 18 percent higher than those paid by large companies. And their administrative costs, built into those premiums, are typically as high as 25 percent of the premium, compared to only 10 percent for big companies.

Our system pooled small employers into purchasing groups large enough to obtain the lower wholesale insurance rates that big companies get.

TO CONTINUE READING COMPLETE ARTICLE SEE:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/opinion/06mcgarr.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=todayspaper&adxnnlx=1254938516-/VUOoAuZIV2eSXameEfMYg

__________________________________________________

Lift up your hand, oh God. Do not forget the helpless. Psalm 10:12

http://www.physiciansforpeace.org/

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Grandpavan

Posted Wednesday, October 07, 2009 3:17 PM

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I think this is what I have been saying. Insurance companies try to make a profit using any available techniques. That is what they are there for and why stockholders provide the capital for them to function. The government is supposed to look out for the citizens to see that unfair practices are illegal and to prosecute those who indulge in unfair practices. The insurance companies are doing their job but the government is not doing its job. The problem is not with the insurance companies but with the government. God bless.

Age 82, diagnosed RA 12/2001, married since 1952, 4 sons no daughters, 4 grandsons 1 granddaughter. Doing well on Methotrexate and Remicade.

Post #4241981

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Jon Male

Posted Wednesday, October 07, 2009 6:42 PM

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Based on Grandavan's logic, I suppose that most crime in our country is not really the fault of criminals. After all, they are just trying to make living. If they don't get caught it isn't their fault! Our government just doesn't spend enough money on law enforcement.

Help us Lord, for they know not what they speak!

Diagnosed w/ RA: May, 2001
Currently on MTX (Injections), Toxilizimab drug trial
Started Remicade in 2005, then Orencia for 8 months
Now unresponsive to Remicade or Orencia

Post #4242075

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Grandpavan

Posted Wednesday, October 07, 2009 6:52 PM

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I should have been more specific in what I meant by available techniques. I meant legally available. Sorry for not being specific. God bless.

Age 82, diagnosed RA 12/2001, married since 1952, 4 sons no daughters, 4 grandsons 1 granddaughter. Doing well on Methotrexate and Remicade.

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Annaart

Posted Thursday, October 08, 2009 6:48 PM

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What I don't understand is how the people on medicare (like Grandpaven and my friend) continue to defend the insurance co's and don't want the public option. They are on the government plan and it works quite well for them. Why don't they want to share?

Anna

Post #4242425

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Grandpavan

Posted Thursday, October 08, 2009 7:19 PM

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The public option plans to spend money we don't have. Medicare is doing the same thing. I use Medicare because the government gives it to me. I also pick up change on the sidewalk and didn't earn that either. If it is available, I will use it. That doesn't make the program right. If I could make Medicare more affordable for the government I would do so but whether I do or do not use Medicare does not have a significant effect on the overall program. For me, Medicare is a protection against possible future needs. So far I just about break even with what I pay for Medicare and what I get from it. God bless.

Age 82, diagnosed RA 12/2001, married since 1952, 4 sons no daughters, 4 grandsons 1 granddaughter. Doing well on Methotrexate and Remicade.

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