The current debate over whether to include the “public option” as part of the health care reform package is essentially irrelevant to our country’s long-term health care system. Far more important is enabling private insurers to remain viable if forced to accept those with “pre-existing” conditions.

Forcing insurers to accept those with pre-existing conditions makes it attractive for someone currently insured to drop their coverage knowing they can re-enroll when faced with extensive medical procedures. Many employers would give their employees the option of dropping coverage in return for an increase in take-home pay.

The result will be insurance companies covering more people needing expensive treatment with fewer people to spread the costs. They will be forced to either go out of business or dramatically increase rates resulting in even fewer buying insurance.

The current health reform packages attempt to deal with this issue by forcing those who choose not to be insured to pay some sort of “fine.” However, the current “fines” proposed are far less than the cost of insurance coverage.

The only way to avoid this takeover is to ensure the “fines” for those who decline coverage at least approximates their insurance cost. In addition, the “fines” should be used to establish a fund for each individual that would be used to reimburse the insurance company forced to pay that individual’s medical costs. This would allow them to maintain affordable premiums resulting in far more insured. The government could subsidize the funds for individuals unable to pay the “fines.”

Bill Hirt, Bellevue