If a viable single-payer system could be developed at the state level I wouldn’t have a problem with that. And in Wisconsin we could have a BadgerCareForAll system preforming that function. But our politicians fought like hell when we tried for a Healthy Wisconsin system that would have created a state solution. They kept using the argument that people from other states would either leech off of us or even move into the state for free care.

What they were really saying was “hey guys, we don’t want to fix the system because the insurance industry likes things just as they are.”

But whatever we do I think we need to remove the health care burden from the corporations altogether, else they are going to just “shop states” until they find one with near zero company-contribution.

Seems the Bush plan is going to prevail since even the politicians must follow the money to finance health care reform(?). You might recall that you slammed my health care blog post 2+ years ago. I still predict that Congress & the Obamaites will pass a big portion of this problem on to the states and that those states with income taxes will have windfalls of unvoted revenue (wherewithall)from the tax on heath benefits.

As in my previous post, I feel this not a bad thing since it localizes the foulups, corrupt influences etc. which are bound to occur if any meaningful reform is to be obtained.

Single payor would be possible at the state or regional levels. Sound state or regional reform proposals might facilitate business development or even better offer incentives for local government consolidation into regional governments.

For instance, Ohio is a single payor (state monopoly) state for workers compensation. Why not have an Ohio out of portal benefit supplement policy (OOPS) for small businesses (non ERISA or self insured) in Ohio? I’m sure other states can come up with plans that are best for them.

I think maybe the Bush plan had and still has more value and potential for true health care reform than many anticipated. Clearly, health care execs are not sure winners under such proposals.

What can Wisconson (or other vstates) do with their potential windfall/wherewithall from a health benefits tax? We’ll just have to continue vto follow the money, won’t we?