Health Care Needs a Real Free Market

But it's a scary idea, to consumers and politicians alike: Klein

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2009 10:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – America’s best shot for a new, better health care system lies in a strong health care exchange, argues Ezra Klein in the Washington Post. “Compared with the crazy-quilt system we have now, the idea is weirdly simple:” A single market where consumers can shop for plans and pick their favorite. You know, the way we buy everything else.

The US needs a strong, national exchange open to everyone, where competition can drive down prices, Klein writes. But instead it’ll probably wind up with weak state exchanges, open only to the unemployed, “sort of an outlet shopping model for health care, accessible only to the few who can get there.” Why? Because change is politically scary. “But it’s what Obama promised, and it’s what the system needs.”

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (2)]

A health exchange is a simple concept: an open market where consumers can compare plans and purchase the one they want. (Shutterstock)

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Our health care system is a fractured, pricey, inefficient mess. Good politics, however, proceeds from the insight that a lot of people rely on this mess and don't trust Washington to change it. - Ezra Klein

Consumers will benefit from an actual, working market — something health insurers have managed to avoid for far too long. - Ezra Klein

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 12 comments

kokuaguy

Jul 30, 2009 12:20 PM CDT

Toon, Fondue ... links please?

armywife

Jul 29, 2009 11:03 AM CDT

but yall, thats what republicans DO - they just keep saying something over and over and eventually people start to believe it. it's been scientifically proven that the human mind believes stuff if it is repeated enough. "obamacare will kill you" is just the latest mantra.

OWLWOMANXXXX

Jul 29, 2009 7:29 AM CDT

some times I think that some people are really born with rocks for brains,,,how many times has it been said that the plan is not socialist and that supplimental insurance sounds like a good idea...my Canadian relatives like their plan...and they pay their premiums on an income scale basis...the only ones who are saying that Canadians do not like their plans are the insurance companies themselves....

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Politics • Health • Money

health insurance • health care reform • insurance industry • President Obama • health insurance exchange • Ezra Klein

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Health Care Needs a Real Free Market