•10:09 PM
One of the most important political issues besides the economy is health care. The rate of soaring health care costs is alarming to me and to most Americans. It is my belief that competitive forces should push prices lower - not higher. Solutions are being proposed in congress as well as by most of the presidential candidates. It worries me that most of the solutions being proposed involve more government. Not only do I not see the power over health care within the bounds of the constitution, but I also disagree with government involvement and regulation in private industry. Socialism is by definition the control of private property by the community or the government. At our nations founding, we, as Americans, ascribed to the free market system rather than a socialist system. However, when the free market system is perceived to have failed us, we move towards socialism to find a solution.
It is my opinion that we the people are being told that the free market system has failed us in the health care industry. By looking at health care premiums, out of pocket maximums, deductibles, co-pays and the like, I would agree with them. However, it just doesn't seem right to me - there has to be something missing.
What if our current health care system isn't really free market? That is what I proposed to Congressman Rob Bishop and Senator Orrin Hatch. In our current US Anti-trust laws there are two industries exempted: Major League Baseball and Insurance. I believe that the protection afforded to the insurance industry could be a likely cause of our rising health care costs - simply because they are not required to compete in a fair, open market system. This protection keeps them from competing against each other and allows prices to soar - and the consumer can do nothing about it.
My letters received two entirely different responses. I got a personal phone call from my congressman who said he was in favor of creating an environment of more competition but was unaware of the protection the insurance industry enjoyed and promised to look into it. Senator Hatch on the other hand sent me the following:
"Dear Mr. Coman:
Thank you for your letter... I certainly understand your concern regarding this issue. I have heard similar concerns from Utahns regarding these matters. In addition, over the past few years, legislation has been introduced in Congress that would repeal all or part of the insurance industry's anti trust exemption.
In general, I approach antitrust issues with the priority of doing what is best for the consumers... there are (however) many arguments in favor of maintaining the insurance industry's current exemption.
Rest assured that, as the Senate continues to debate this issue, I will work to ensure that we properly balance the needs of the consumers with the needs of various businesses. While I recognize that repealing or even imposing certain limits on the current exemption might have some market benefits, I would be hesitant to support legislation that would unduly harm small insurance companies and agents, especially those in Utah...
Sincerely,
Orrin G. Hatch"
I am inclined to disagree with my Senator. I am worried that this is a short sighted approach - if we don't do the right thing, it will hurt the consumer as well as all of the insurance companies as we move to more socialized medicine due to the failure of the current system to bring us the care needed, for those who need it, at a price they can afford. It is my opinion that the free market hasn't done this to us - it is everything but the free market. Plastic surgery is a great example - it's not covered by insurance but the prices have been falling year after year while care and quality has gone up and up. The free market could get us out - we need to send in our voices and ask the government to repeal the exemption afforded the insurance industry.
Freedom is the answer.
It is my opinion that we the people are being told that the free market system has failed us in the health care industry. By looking at health care premiums, out of pocket maximums, deductibles, co-pays and the like, I would agree with them. However, it just doesn't seem right to me - there has to be something missing.
What if our current health care system isn't really free market? That is what I proposed to Congressman Rob Bishop and Senator Orrin Hatch. In our current US Anti-trust laws there are two industries exempted: Major League Baseball and Insurance. I believe that the protection afforded to the insurance industry could be a likely cause of our rising health care costs - simply because they are not required to compete in a fair, open market system. This protection keeps them from competing against each other and allows prices to soar - and the consumer can do nothing about it.
My letters received two entirely different responses. I got a personal phone call from my congressman who said he was in favor of creating an environment of more competition but was unaware of the protection the insurance industry enjoyed and promised to look into it. Senator Hatch on the other hand sent me the following:
"Dear Mr. Coman:
Thank you for your letter... I certainly understand your concern regarding this issue. I have heard similar concerns from Utahns regarding these matters. In addition, over the past few years, legislation has been introduced in Congress that would repeal all or part of the insurance industry's anti trust exemption.
In general, I approach antitrust issues with the priority of doing what is best for the consumers... there are (however) many arguments in favor of maintaining the insurance industry's current exemption.
Rest assured that, as the Senate continues to debate this issue, I will work to ensure that we properly balance the needs of the consumers with the needs of various businesses. While I recognize that repealing or even imposing certain limits on the current exemption might have some market benefits, I would be hesitant to support legislation that would unduly harm small insurance companies and agents, especially those in Utah...
Sincerely,
Orrin G. Hatch"
I am inclined to disagree with my Senator. I am worried that this is a short sighted approach - if we don't do the right thing, it will hurt the consumer as well as all of the insurance companies as we move to more socialized medicine due to the failure of the current system to bring us the care needed, for those who need it, at a price they can afford. It is my opinion that the free market hasn't done this to us - it is everything but the free market. Plastic surgery is a great example - it's not covered by insurance but the prices have been falling year after year while care and quality has gone up and up. The free market could get us out - we need to send in our voices and ask the government to repeal the exemption afforded the insurance industry.
Freedom is the answer.
