The Saratogian
Saratoga Springs, NY
http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/08/11/opinion/doc4a80e23dc10fc925608287.txt
Andrew Bernstein’s article in the Aug. 2 edition of The Saratogian focused on the local interest in the national health care debate. The piece accurately pointed to a public health insurance option as the debate’s core concern. However, some clarification is required.
Bernstein quotes an insurance industry representative who defends the status quo by claiming that adequate competition exists between insurance providers in much of New York state. Yet, that spokesperson failed to mention the situation’s high volatility. In the past three years, our nation’s uninsured population has risen from 47 to 52 million, and in the next decade another 15 million Americans are expected to join them. Countless more people have either had their benefits reduced or worry about losing their insurance in the future.
With rising premiums and ever more aggressive attacks on existing coverage levels, can anyone really rely on the current situation remaining stable for long? Except for the insurance industry, the wind is blowing in an unfavorable direction for everyone. That’s why a public option is necessary.
A public option guarantees Americans quality affordable health insurance independent of insurance industry shenanigans. The prospect of real competition terrifies this industry because they have never had to confront a legitimate competitor whose main purpose is to provide good coverage. In contrast, their primary goal is to make a profit and, at times, that means denying people coverage. For all the misrepresentations of the anti-public option crowd, there is no allegation that a public option would deny people health care do to a “pre-existing condition” or for any other reason. Yet, for many people who are dependent on “free market” privateers, this situation is a reality. Public option advocates would allow people to purchase whatever health insurance they desire.
Albert Ormsby, Saratoga Springs
