Doctors Back 'Open Market' Insurance Exchanges.

[elleng]

Source: nyt/reuters

'The American Medical Association added pressure on U.S. states to steer toward the system that opens doors to all insurers who meet minimum standards as they build up their health insurance exchanges.

The influential doctors group on Tuesday put its weight behind the so-called "open marketplace" structure of a health insurance exchange, as opposed to a model called "active purchasers."

In the latter, a state would act much like a large employer and vet bids from insurers who want to participate. . .

The operating exchange in Massachusetts is an example of an "active purchaser" model where the state has the power to bargain with insurers and shut out insurance plans it deems as inefficient or low-quality.

Utah's current exchange is an "open marketplace" that effectively allows as many insurers to participate as are willing, offering consumers a wide variety of products.'






Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2011/11/15/us/politics/politics-us-insurance-doctors.html?hp

[SoapBox]

1. The GOPBaggers ain't gonna like this...

They love their monopolies!

They don't love competition.

Open market...care for all...that's how it should be.

[Davis_X_Machina]

2. See one here:

Comparis.ch

Lausanne's post code is 1007, if you want to see what they pay.

[gateley]

3. Boy, this is the first I've heard of this.

At first glance, it looks good.

What do you think, elleng?

:hi:

[nineteen50]

4. What did insurance companies ever produce

except higher settlements. 

[bread_and_roses]

5. No, I don't think this is good

Note: "an "active purchaser" model where the state has the power to bargain with insurers and shut out insurance plans it deems as inefficient or low-quality. "

Have any of you above had any experience trying to help a senior choose from the smorgasbord of "plans" they are offered? It is a nightmare. If we are to have this bastard health insurance system (and if the AMA gave a damn about patient health they would be backing single payer or at the least a public option) at least let their be more than absolute rock-bottom "minimum standards" - which will no doubt be grossly insufficient. Not that the "active" model will eliminate cronyism and abuse - but then, that's not the purpose of this total fail model - either active or "minimum." The point is to insure the profits of the vampire insurers.

[blueclown]

6. AMA believes in the mythical free market.

They believe that the "free market", in its grand splendor, will allow insurance companies to compete on the basis of price and offer lower priced and competitive plans. One would think that these thoughts would have been laughed off the national stage at this point. Instead, they are being embraced by a large and influential national trade organization.

Attention AMA: there is no free market in health care! Health insurance companies operate as a cartel through the AHIP, and they are immune to any anti-trust violations. There will never be a free market as long as for-profit health insurance companies continue to sit at the national policy table and dictate federal legislation.