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In reply to the discussion: Paul Krugman- Romney's Sick Joke [View all]Grins
(7,217 posts)The noted dog-abuser wants to give it to the states to handle, but the states have tried that and it failed.
"A new law that allows Georgians to buy health insurance plans approved by other states ...has failed to produce results: Not a single insurer is offering a policy under the new law.
"...(Insurance Commissioner Ralph) Hudgens, a conservative Republican ...said he expected policies sold in states such as Alabama, which have fewer requirements for health plans <Bwahahahahahaha! No? Really?> , to be offered in Georgia (that) would allow a Georgia-registered insurer to scour the nation and find a bare-bones plan to offer private market customers in Georgia presumably at a cheaper price. Because the law still requires Georgia licensing and oversight, it does not create a completely free-market scenario. It essentially just allows insurers licensed in Georgia to get around the states benefit mandates.
"... under such a free market scenario Georgia elected officials would cede their responsibility to protect Georgia consumers to regulators in another states. ...bypassing state regulations could lead to a race to the bottom and leave many consumers without needed benefits and leave taxpayers and better-insured residents ultimately picking up the tab for some treatments.
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/no-out-of-state-insurers-offer-plans-in-georgia/nQTQg/
"In reality, interstate sales of insurance will allow insurers to choose their regulator, the very dynamic that led to the financial collapse that has left millions of Americans without jobs. It would also make insurance less available, make insurers less accountable, and prevent regulators from assisting consumers in their states."
- Source: National Association of Insurance Commissioners. [link:http://www.naic.org/documents/topics_interstate_sales_myths.pdf|