There have been two recent op-eds in the PPH recently that deserve comment. The first, “A grim reminder of the health insurance industry’s human cost”, is written by Dr. Jeffrey Barkin. Dr. Barkin has the correct diagnosis but the wrong cure. He wants a public option alongside the private ones we have now. This would only bring more complexity and confusion. What we must do is get profit considerations entirely out of the picture when decisions are made about what care a patient needs. Public health insurance with a single payer for everyone would be simpler and less costly and would serve patients better.
The second op-ed, “A call to abolish health insurance claim denials” by Greg Bates, hits the nail on the head. It proposes ways to remove from insurers the power to deny approval of necessary care they don’t want to pay for. If they were implemented, it would probably result in for-profit insurers withdrawing from the business — a desirable outcome.
Maine AllCare remains dedicated to its mission: a single public-funded health care plan for everyone in Maine.