Don’t think about Scott Brown as the 41st vote against healthcare reform. Consider him the 1st vote towards a new, more thoughtful approach. A more honest approach. An approach that doesn’t require Uncle Sam to become Uncle Sam, MD. An approach that doesn’t tax the middle class, gut Medicare and abolish Medicare Advantage. An approach that doesn’t put the power of government reimbursement decisions into the hands of a politically appointed panel without any oversight by elected officials. Perhaps even an approach that takes into consideration reform via a partnership between government and the private sector (a la Part D). And maybe even an approach that considers allowing Americans to buy insurance policies across state lines so that we can all benefit from a significant economy of scale and radically lower premiums. A study by University of Minnesota shows that Congress could boost by more than 12 million the number of people who have health insurance without spending taxpayer dollars. The change required is to allow people to buy health insurance across state lines, so they can shop for less expensive policies. For example, a typical health-insurance policy in heavily regulated New York costs more than three times as much as in less regulated Iowa ($388 a month versus $98 a month for the same coverage).
But – for starters – how about an approach that’s open and transparent.
But – for starters – how about an approach that’s open and transparent.
