1. John R. Graham Says:
   June 26th, 2009 at 4:31 pm

   I would have another question for Mr. Williams: “Why are you participating in this circus when you have a business to run?”

   I’m afraid I did not invest any of my time in watching the infomercial, so I don’t know what Mr. Willams’ answer was. I suspect it was not the only appropriate one:

   “Ms Sawyer, can you tell my why you think the government should prevent Americans from investing their savings in health insurers, in order to make them solvent and saving taxpayers from yet another bailout, like Medicare and Medicaid subject them too every year?”

2. Ken Says:
   June 26th, 2009 at 5:05 pm

   Great post.

3. Tom H. Says:
   June 26th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

   Good observation. Hard to believe these guys are so naive.

4. Ken Says:
   June 26th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

   Good post.

5. Bart Ingles Says:
   June 26th, 2009 at 5:40 pm

   Don’t the insurance companies make less on high-deductible accounts? It doesn’t surprise me that insurance companies’ interests aren’t completely aligned with that of the NCPA.

   Moreover, it occurs to me that insurance companies would happily accept a federal requirement for pure community rating, an individual mandate, and comprehensive coverage. So long as all competitors are subject to the same requirements, this translates to a captive clientele and more business volume. Provided they can keep the same average markup, this would only increase profits.

6. Blake Says:
   June 26th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

   Are you serious? Are you remotely relevant? Does anyhone actually believe your fear and hate? Im just curious. Additionally, is it the least bit possible that you would NOT be seen as anything other than a shil for the health care industry?

   80% of bankruptcies are because of medical bills.

7. Jim Capatelli Says:
   June 26th, 2009 at 10:35 pm

   Hey John,
   I’m an entrepreneur. I run my own small business. I’m also 55 and I have a “pre-existing condition”. It doesn’t effect my day-to-day life or work ability (I average 70 hour weeks) but the private, for-profit insurance companies won’t touch me; I know. I’ve applied and they’ve essentially told me to get lost.

   So, will one of these nifty, corporate “HSA’s” you’re so fond of work for me? What do you suggest for someone like myself who just wants what ever member of Congress gets: good health care when I need it without going broke paying for it?

   Or is it more important for you to defend the “Return On Investment” for those addicted to the status quo?

8. Ken Says:
   June 27th, 2009 at 6:09 am

   Here’s one way to look at this. Aetna is obviously freeloading on the NCPA’s ideas. On the other hand, Aetna and other large insurers are pushing for a mandate to require everyone to buy their products so that ordinary people can’t freeload on the system.

   What;s wrong with this picture?

9. John Goodman Says:
   June 27th, 2009 at 8:24 am

   Response to Jim Capatelli:

   There are many policy solutions to the problem of pre-existing conditions. As I have previoulsly written at this blog, the ideal solution is described here:

   http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/rational-health-insurance/

   However, none of this has anything to do with HSAs. Patient control of health care dollars is a good thing, regardless of the presence or absence of illness.

10. John Goodman Says:
    June 27th, 2009 at 8:27 am

    Response to Blake:

    You obviouly have not read my book,Patient Power. Do so. You will learn a lot.

    The percent of bankrupcies due to medical bills is 17%. not 80%.

11. Larry C. Says:
    June 27th, 2009 at 8:29 am

    Sounds like Aetna is looking out for Aetna, and could care less about the rest of us.

12. Bret Says:
    July 1st, 2009 at 10:39 am

    Larry, right on.

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