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By Michael Waddoups
Utah State Senator, District 6

I appreciated Linda Fantin’s article highlighting serious concerns about transparency and patient choice. Obviously, the task force has miles to go before our work is complete.

For those who may be interested in the letters she mentions, here are copies:

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff

Secretary Michael Leavitt

Commissioner Kent Michie

President Rob Feckner

3 Comments:

 jb said...

What is this? Nobody wants to stand up for the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)? I just can't understand why everybody is trying to kill the HMO system? I am joking. The HMO has been around for a long time and has both good and bad points.

Interestingly, any willing provider legislation is basically an HMO killer. Sure the insurance companies think they can lower costs by directing people to certain doctors or facilities - honestly that IS the definition of an HMO. The objective/purpose of an HMO is defined as directability.

By killing the HMO all insurance consumers will pay more money so we can all have the any-willing-provider insurance plan. If you haven't done the comparison yet, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Blue Choices plan (which allows the consumer to visit any doctor) costs more than their plain HMO plan.

Thank goodness there are levelheaded legislators that don't want their names associated with legislation that would directly AND IMMEDIATELY raise everyone's insurance rates in the state of Utah.

Wonder why HMOs screen their doctors, or why HMOs have the appearance of being restrictive? Check out this site.

Please, pay for a study on how many Utahns feel restricted by their HMO, now that would be an interesting perception study.

6/14/2006 3:45 PM  

 steve u. said...

jb,

Has there ever been anything cooler than Wikipedia?

6/15/2006 6:20 PM  

 jb said...

No, no there isn't anything cooler. Wikipedia is pretty sweet!

6/20/2006 2:03 PM  

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