With regard to the latter the article states “Between 2002 and 2007, premiums rose 78%, outpacing inflation (17%) and wages (19%). In the individual market, without an employer’s subsidy, consumers bear the full cost of coverage.”

As regards the former, all insurers “manage” their own “risk pool”, as they are not conciously in a “not-for-profit business. Requiring them to do otherwise is like mandating that MacDonalds sell only geiko burgers.

To go “universal” is frought with complications all around: consumers, employers, insurance companies, health providers, state regulators, drug companies, the varied health industry lobbies etc. It is really as mess and millions of our fellow citizens are falling through the cracks.

NO EASY SOLUTION and all I’ve seen out of our politicians are bandaides. Meanwhile people are suffering and dying.