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Home | Opinion Exchange | Letters

Netlet: Open enrollment, and she'd rather choose a different option

By Janice Thurn

Last update: November 2, 2009 - 5:08 PM

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It is that dreaded time of year again: health insurance "open enrollment" time. Even in light of our government’s impending efforts toward health care reform, I was stunned to learn that my employer’s large group plan through one of the major Minnesota providers is scheduled for a 15 percent increase. And once again, I am hearing from others how their plans are going up yet another 10 to 20 percent.

I can’t understand how these huge increases can continue. Though I pay more and more in premiums each year, we actually use our health care less and less as we can no longer afford the skyrocketing out-of-pocket expenses. Higher co-pays, higher deductibles and simple, formerly covered outpatient procedures now defined and charged as "surgery" have out-priced my family’s ability to use the care.

We have been asked who we trust more with our health care — the private industry or the government? The question becomes irrelevant when those of us with insurance cannot afford to use the care it is supposed to provide.

That is why I have come to the conclusion that it is the government I must trust more. The current, profit-driven system simply no longer works — not even for regular working people. I urge our Congress to pass a health care reform bill that includes the public option so that families like mine can choose a plan in a true competitive market.

It seems to me those in the current health care industry are not exactly shaking in their boots over the prospect of having to compete with a public option. Do they really have that much arrogance and faith in the absolute power of their lobbyists? Do they know something more than the rest of us? Or is it like the credit card companies who, knowing new laws would end their predatory interest rate hikes, raised them to audacious levels just before the enactment deadline?

It makes me wonder if the mission of the private health care industry is to heal and promote good health, or is it to "make one last killing" in 2010?

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