We are speaking of health insurance, correct?
There are zero states that have deregulated the sale of health insurance over state lines.
Not true. Maine, Wyoming, and Georgia spring to mind immediately.
Even if your point was accurate, what's the implication here? Are you advocating for state or federal action to achieve what you're describing?
I am not speaking out against state regulations. I am speaking FOR the people who would benefit from free market.
You did say that health insurers should not be forced to "adhere to rigid state 'rules'" didn't you? State regulations are what prevent out-of-state insurers from selling products in the state. In general these are a byproduct of consumer protections in the state.
I'm trying to disentangle what you're suggesting from the Republican party's across-state-lines proposal, which very specifically and purposefully uses federal power to defang state laws.
I believe I realize where you are going with this, so allow me to clarify a few things:
I am fully aware of the complexity of reforming HI.
When I post on this subject, I am not posting as any political party, but as a consumer, a health care provider and person who also happens to have a legal Eagle badge.
Thus, I will only focus on Maine, especially since I just rang up my State a' Mainer relatives to get their views.
The state regs I refer to are the ones that are driving up private HI premiums, as this article states:
Maine High Court Affirms State's Rejection of Anthem Health Insurance Rate Hike; Consumers... -- WASHINGTON, April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
I agree with what the State of Maine is attempting to accomplish.
I am NOT stating there be zero state regulation, because I am well aware that HI companies will take advantage of the 'system' given the chance, including monopolization.
Again: HI should revert back to it's original intent: Catastrophic Insurance only, along with being non-profit. Take out the profit, HMOs, shareholders, contracts with providers, etc, and what the consumer will find is health care costs that are much lower.
If we have to make a co-pay at the Doc's office, logic would dictate the co-pay would cover the actual visit to begin with.
Again: competition that crosses state lines is a win for consumers. Of course all states would have to agree to same state over-sites, such as Maine currently has.
Again: ZERO states have deregulated the sale (and acceptence of sold HI) of HI across state lines.