DISPELLING “ACROSS STATE LINE COMPETITION”

The most prominent opposition to the reform of Healthcare is a theory that “if we just allowed competition across state lines the price of health insurance would decrease.” Really…that’s their plan. Just open competition up across state lines. Then…United Healthcare of Oklahoma can compete with United Healthcare of Arkansas for Texas healthcare business. They’ll be competing against themselves. And, you don’t have to have a Nobel Economic Prize to know that won’t bring down any cost. It will just disguise the ruse.

Think about this…you can buy gasoline across state lines. Does Shell Oil or Exxon sell gas cheaper in California than they do in Nevada, or in Oklahoma cheaper than they do in Texas? Of, course they don’t. It’s a stupid argument and someone should call them on it. If resident s of New York bought insurance in New Hampshire they’d pay premiums developed for residents of New York, not residents of New Hampshire.

The Public Option is the only proposal out there that will control cost. However, there is one other. Control Healthcare Insurers like public utilities are regulated. Make them conform to what they have to cover, who they have to cover, and how much they can charge. And, monitor the hell out of their denial of claims…with substantial penalties handed out for bogus denials. Given that option…I’ll bet they’ll opt for the public option too.