A recent news report (available at sunlightreportinsurance.com) revealed that over the past decade the UnitedHealth Group had added close to 2,700 subsidiaries, acquiring physician groups, home health providers, specialty pharmacies, and data analytics firms. This has reshaped the U.S. health care system: UnitedHealth now employs or contracts 1 in 10 doctors, controls 20% of the pharmacy benefits market and receives trillions of U.S. tax dollars. Rather than prioritize health care delivery, UnitedHealth is profit-driven, but now faces serious stock reversals.
According to The Colorado Sun on July 17, “Colorado health insurers propose huge price increases following passage of GOP’s federal spending bill,” one consequence for people on the Western slope seeking health insurance is the recent news that Colorado insurance carriers are asking for a 38% increase in price in the coming year. Depending on a person’s age, family size and where they live this could amount to hundreds or thousands of dollars more per year just to have health insurance.
But there is hope for a better way. Health care does not respond efficiently to market forces as UnitedHealth is learning. Instead, as an alternative, this year the Colorado General Assembly commissioned the Colorado Health Care Payment System Analysis to conduct a new study that will analyze options for implementing a universal health payment system that ensures access to high quality for all Coloradans. The study will analyze model legislation for implementing a single-payer, nonprofit, publicly financed and privately delivered system which will be submitted to Colorado voters in the future.
Joan MacEachen MD, MPH
Durango
