Dr. Robin Cook concludes in "Decoding Health Insurance" (op-ed, May 22) that genomics should move the United States toward a government-sponsored, single-payer health system because he says that is the only way "to pool risk for the entire country." But there is another way that would not propel us down the path of socialized medicine. The United States could create a more efficient and fairer health system by modernizing today's burdensome legislative, regulatory, and tax policies that artificially segment the insurance marketplace. Risks could be shared among millions of people with private health insurance, and insurers and health plans could purchase private re-insurance against the costs of very large medical expenses. A properly functioning private marketplace for health insurance could provide universal access to health coverage while protecting patient choice and the climate for innovation.

Grace-Marie Turner

President

Galen Institute

 

Dr. Robin Cook concludes in "Decoding Health Insurance" (op-ed, May 22) that genomics should move the United States toward a government-sponsored, single-payer health system because he says that is the only way "to pool risk for the entire country." But there is another way that would not propel us down the path of socialized medicine. The United States could create a more efficient and fairer health system by modernizing today's burdensome legislative, regulatory, and tax policies that artificially segment the insurance marketplace. Risks could be shared among millions of people with private health insurance, and insurers and health plans could purchase private re-insurance against the costs of very large medical expenses. A properly functioning private marketplace for health insurance could provide universal access to health coverage while protecting patient choice and the climate for innovation.

Grace-Marie Turner

President

Galen Institute