A Message From The Future

Massachusetts is a handy current example of a government-mandated health insurance system.

As a response to a rise in health insurance rates, The Commonwealth demonstrates the appreciation and understanding of free markets that government is famous for.

From Tom M's email to me:

Massachusetts has a "Health Connector Authority", which is designed to help businesses find health insurance. This year, because they don't like rate increases by Insurance Companies, they have dropped the companies they will recommend to - one company. The other insurance companies don't much like this, of course, but Massachusetts says "Tough".

Wheeeeeeeeee! I love this ride! Bring in the lawyers!

Until yesterday when most health insurers filed suit against the state, the authority offered access to scores of policies from as many as six different insurers.

The current lack of choices highlights the growing tensions between the state, which is seeking to curb rising health-care costs, and the insurers, which claim their premiums reflect the rising cost of health care.

Last week, the state rejected hundreds of proposed insurance rate increases, saying the premiums were excessive and unreasonable. Yesterday, the insurers fired back with a lawsuit accusing the state of acting illegally when it ordered insurers to charge last year’s rates.

Read to the end of the article (not long) for the precious quote from one Brian Rosman.

Thanks to Tom M.

posted by Laura. at 11:57 AM

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