Reply #8: The only tenable alternative to PO or SP [View All]

The largest possible risk pool is the best way to distribute risk and have the power to negotiate lower prices with providers. There is a way to achieve this goal without dumping all the insurance companies.

We can treat the entire US population as a single risk pool. Define the standard basic coverage and raise taxes enough to pay for it. Then divide up the population among the existing insurance companies and divide up the money proportionally.

Guarantee small, reasonable profits based on outcome targets. Companies can add premium gap policies. These gap policies will take the place of health benefits now given by employers and unions who can afford it. This plan could only pass if Democrats started negotiations from the position of single payer and were willing to compromise down to this plan in exchange for the survival of insurance companies.