The Maryland Public Policy Institute
FEBRUARY 22, 2010
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In the debate over health care in Washington, D.C., President Obama correctly contends that a lack of competition in the health insurance marketplace keeps prices high, although he proposes a government-run insurance company to offer this competition. Republicans counter that the only thing currently preventing more competition is states refusing to let their residents buy policies across state lines. Interestingly, a Democrat in Annapolis has authored legislation that may take Marylanders a step closer to enjoying the benefits of health insurance competition.
Delegate David Rudolph of Cecil County has proposed that the Maryland Insurance Administration study the effects of Maryland entering into a compact with other states to allow residents to purchase health insurance across state lines. As the legislation notes, there are a lot of issues that would arise with such a compact, such as how consumer grievances are filed and if other states even want to enter into such a compact (The Maine Heritage Policy Center has model legislation for that state that addresses many of these concerns) Given that there isn't much competition in the state's health insurance marketplace, the consumer benefits to allowing businesses and individuals more options for their health insurance purchases seems clear.
A person in Delmar, Maryland, is forbidden by law from purchasing the same health insurance policy that is sold to someone who may live right across the street in Delmar, Delaware. This situation is even more ridiculous considering that both likely seek health care treatments from the same hospital and doctors in Salisbury, Maryland. In the DC suburbs, many people go to the world-class hospitals and doctors in DC for treatment. Johns Hopkins in Baltimore attracts people from all around theMid-Atlantic region. Health care isn't limited by state borders and health insurnace should not be limited by such borders, either.
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