Maryland lawmakers last year designed a “reinsurance” program to help restrain the risk in health-care insurance premiums. With the state’s reinsurance plan, insurance companies can be more confident about the financial risks they face and build in less of a cushion for the unknown in the premiums they charge. Advocates estimate that some 78,000 people could cover their entire yearly health premium bill this way, with the help of federal premium subsidies. The health-care down payment proposal is good health-care economics and is less punitive toward individuals than the federal mandate was. The governor should ensure that the state’s reinsurance program continues past its expiration date and push for the down payment plan.

Source: Washington Post March 01, 2019 23:32 UTC