State public option insurance plans gain popularity

Kaiser Health News published an article that surveys various state efforts to make state-wide public option insurance plans available. The original concept of the Affordable Care Act included public option insurance plans, but that was gutted after strong lobbying efforts. Now, various states are considering making public option insurance available, separate from the federal government.

The article highlighted a previous effort to get public option legislation passed in Connecticut, and noted how some of the largest employers in the state are health insurers who oppose public option plans. Doubtless, health insurers have the clout to delay public option plans (or worse from their perspective, single-payer health care), but as healthcare premiums continues to rise, people are increasingly looking for a more sustainable solution. Voters who are frustrated with the lack of coverage may end up forcing one alternative or another.