Any Thoughts about State Health Reform: The Significance of Utah Health Insurance Reforms?

The Heritage Foundation ^ | July 29, 2009 | Edmund F. Haislmaier

[vg0va3]

Utah is currently implementing consumer-centered health insurance reforms enacted in March of this year.[1] The reforms are designed to increase choice, portability, and availability of private health insurance coverage. They are the product of a continuing, multi-year health reform process in that state.

This first set of Utah health reforms includes three key elements:

1. Insurance market reforms to create a new "defined contribution" coverage option for businesses and their workers;

2. A board to design and manage a companion risk adjustment mechanism; and

3. A "virtual" health insurance exchange to coordinate the various administrative functions of a consumer-choice market.

[vg0va3]

Don't stop at the word exchange. Obama has stolen that term along with the term competition. There is greater detail through the link. I would like to learn your thoughts about this action please.

[Tarpon]

States are free to do their own thing. That’s the beauty of our Constitution. If you don’t like what the state is doing, you can move to one you like better.

For instance, there is no doubt left that Romney-care is a huge failure ... And Romney-care is the base model for the unconstitutional Federal rationed health care the Congress is considering.

[marstegreg]

Do you think this is why the Obama Admin. was trying to push though their healthcare garbage? If this policy works in Utah, it may make the government plan look bad.

[vg0va3]

Makes sense to me.

From what I am reading, it is anticipated that the UT plan will allow eventually allow for those on Medicare/Medicaid to move over to private insurance.

I have an issue with insurance. I work for large company and the administrator is not accepted at my Dr. As a result, all visits are out of plan.

With this option, I could choose an insurer that meets my local needs and select a plan that works for my family as opposed to one my employer offers.

[marstegreg]

I really hope Utah is successful...This would give us some reform without taxing us to death. I think that when the Gov. looks at us all they see is a bunch of piggy banks.