In a nutshell, once we have true insurance reform and insurance companies compete to sell a highly regulated product, prices will fall. It will be exactly like when government deregulated the airlines, but left in place very tight rules. Prices fell like a brick as airlines competed with each other in a race to become the leanest and meanest.
I am not sure why so many progressives see the insurance companies as the bogeyman. They are no more the merchants of death than the average US corporation. They are in it for a profit. Change the rules and watch what good citizens they become.
But lately, I think I am beginning to see a grand plan here. I have always thought that Obama was a master chess player and tactician, and I am beginning to think that all along the public option was just a pawn in the holy war of health care.
Think about it a minute – while everyone's attention is focused on the public option, few people have noticed that almost everything else is starting to align with the stars. And anyway, no mater what health care passes in November, it will be tinkered with, trimmed, expanded, adjusted, and fooled with like we always do.
For the first time in my life, universal coverage is within our grasp. Yes, we should continue to complain loudly and often for a public option. But I think we should have a secret wink to accompany that.
And in the end, when we "cave" on the public option, keep in mind that its not dead. I am not sure how many insurance companies will really want to remain forever in a highly regulated public marketplace. Unable to cherry pick, they will be reduced to fighting for razor thin margins. I think only the best and strongest will survive, and many others will cry out for a nationalization and a bailout in 10 years.
But please, we should all be on board to get health care done this year no matter what. Thats why I voted for Obama. Because he can get it done.