Barbara Flye, the advocacy group's executive director, says there is no evidence that lengthening the wait for coverage of pre-existing conditions will solve the problems in the individual market. People need health care coverage. Those denied coverage would automatically be eligible for the high risk pool. The measure cleared the Senate but died in the House. Health industry consultant Lance Heineccius isn't sure the solutions lay in trying to tinker with the existing system.
Insurance is designed to insure against catastrophic events.
While insurance may address major medical crises like cancer treatment, it may not be the way to address preventative care and routine doctor visits, he says. Those needs may be best met through a community utility model. Even as lawmakers wrestle with the issue, two different groups are working on initiatives that would provide universal access to health care. Raleigh Stitt, a retiree and organizer for one of the efforts, believes the timing and political climate are right for a grassroots effort. I'm very lucky.