Co-Op Option Offers Compromise In Health Debate

All Things Considered by Joanne Silberner | Jul. 1, 2009 (Special Report)

(Audio - streaming) A new health insurance idea is circulating through the Senate Finance Committee and may appear in its final plan for revamping the nation's health care system. The idea is to stimulate the creation of co-ops where people could go to buy low-cost, high-quality health insurance.

Health co-ops are not a new idea. Two large ones, Group Health in Seattle and HealthPartners in Minneapolis, are more than 50 years old. But the thought that co-ops could ... Full Story »

Posted by Kristin Gorski

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Peter Henry
2.1
 by Peter Henry - Jul. 7, 2009

Very superficial view of health coops presented by NPR as an alternative to the "public option" - a large public health care provider to compete with large health providers and insurance companies. Interviews a customer and one or two people who work for a Minnesota coop. In the spirit of "balanced reporting" NPR presents a Republican's viewpoint and a free-market opponent. No point at all from the 60% of Americans who want viable public provided health care. The elephant in the tent, which mainstream media ignores - including NPR - is what would really promote competition is a government program big enough to force the insurance companies' hands.

NPR is such an inside-the-beltway organization, they make up their minds what the acceptable parameters are before they even do the story. Pretty far from an independent news organization.

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