Recent comments

Mr. Potter is spot on with his comments about George Will. The right loves to say that many Americans have insurance and are perfectly happy with it, but what they don't say is how much these Americans are paying per year for that coverage, or how much of an impact their premiums have on their purchasing power. I think the average family premium is now closer to $16,000 per year and for many people who profess to be happy with what they have, I'd be willing to bet they are paying only a fraction of that cost. In the words of the insurance industry, they have no "skin in the game". The biggest problem with the current system is that the costs of managing risk for our entire population are being borne inequitably by too few people. No one who shows up at a hospital needing treatment will get turned away- the costs just get shifted elsewhere, mainly in the form of higher premiums for those who are covered. Moreover, if you work for a small company (like less than 100 lives insured), you are penalized because your small risk pool represents an expensive account for the insurer, so they jack your rates up through the roof. Meanwhile, larger companies with safer risk pools get better deals. How in the world is that fair? Lastly, what I find most perplexing is that someone like George Will would fail to understand how the current system hampers entrepreneurship and limits American competitiveness. People are afraid to start their own companies or move to better jobs because they can't afford the health insurance. Companies have to pass the costs of insurance on to customers...doesn't George get this? Either he is just not paying attention or he's bought the line of the insurance industry. I'm betting on the latter.