Having been involved in the health insurance industry now for 6 years, I smell a little something that just isn't adding up.

I respect and acknowledge that in corporate America, including insurance companies, that there have been a few black eyes received.  The current situation relating to the announced rate increase that Wellmark proposed has a different feel to it.

If you read between the lines, and in the direct text, in the article written by the Des Moines Register, there are a few things that just don't add up.

1. Chet Culver announces that he has requested an independent review of Wellmarks rate increase.  Are you happy Iowa that you are now going to have to pay this bill also?  Remember, when you demand government for answers, you are asking them to spend your money to get the answer for you.
2. Why has Chet Culver never publicly made such an announcement in relation to any of the other companies that provide health insurance in Iowa?  Last time I checked, Wellmark DID NOT have a 100% marketshare.  Assurant Health has been raising their rates 20% per year for the last 6, to the point now where you can't buy a competitive premium from them.  Other companies have simply gutted their plans so that their premiums appear lower.  I challenge you to show me, when compared dollar for dollar plans that are competitive over the whole age spectrum.
3. Why did Chet Culvers office do a press release on this matter BEFORE Wellmark even had a chance to notify its SALES department?
4. Wellmark's current rate increase had ALREADY been APPROVED by Chet Culvers Insurance Division ( aka Susan Voss ).  If you don't believe me, read paragraph 5.  If the DMRegister article is no longer available, contact me and I will get you a copy.
5. Culver also directed Voss to use an independent, third party actuary ANYTIME an insurance company requested a rate increase.  This is more government regulation and no matter which way you look at it YOU will end up paying for it.
6. Culver also directed Voss to SEEK a practical way to inform and educate Iowans... translation... more cost to YOU the consumer for TV, Newspaper and mailing campaigns
7. Culver also directed that an ANNUAL report be delivered to his office.  Any chance that will be put together for FREE?  No.

So what was really achieved here?  After receiving a mass number of complaints, Chet Culver had to come out and assure Iowan's that he was in fact doing his job in protecting you.  The fact is that the train had already left the station and his own administration has their very own hands dirty also.  People that report to him had APPROVED the rate filing.  This my friends is political grandstanding and point scoring without getting to the root of the problem.

Here is the deal Iowa, we need reform, without a doubt, but using scapegoats and making vilians doesn't solve ANY of the real problems.

Here are some points that are going to need to be part of the solution

1. Let the TRUE free market system work again.  By this I mean, if you call the doctors office and say, 'how much is my knee reconstruction going to cost?', they would be able to give you a price range.  You would then go to the next doctor and ask the same question, he would give you a price.  We would then ask questions about the quality of prior services for the same procedure and decide where, or whether we are going to spend our money.  We do it every day with other things we buy, why not with healthcare.
2. Let's think about paying for the services we want and need ourselves.  I don't expect you to buy my car, but I am happy to contribute money to the same pool so that WE can have protection against an accident. I consider the cost of the car I buy by what I can afford, I protect against the catastrophe by pooling money in an insurance policy with you.
3. Let's ask ourselves the following question EVERY time we consider having a large procedure done.  When is it OK for ME to ask YOU to pay for MY healthcare.  If I walked up to you on the street today and asked you for $5 Million dollars you would laugh at me.  Why is it all of a sudden OK to expect you to say yes just because it is health care?
4. Let's make sure that those that are genuinely affected by medical practice are taken care of, remove petty lawsuits so that our doctors can practice medicine, not lawsuit prevention medicine.
5. Reports of fraud and waste are rampant.  Let's be honest with ourselves, with others and root out the greed and dishonesty.
6. Let's remember that modern medicare has brought with it some moral dilemmas.  It is awesome that we are able to heal things that once were not possible, and we should, but we also have to remember that we are mortal and our time here will one day end.  I am not prepared to draw the line, I can be aware of what it costs and make decisions for me... we must all do the same for ourselves.
7. If you have spent more money than you have ever payed in, please, please don't complain about the premiums you pay.

I don't have all the answers, but there are two things that I have learned.  When I feel ENTITLED or something is my RIGHT, in most cases I have my hand in someone elses pocket if I have not FIRST worked for what it is that I want.  There are also those amongst us that have every priority in order and simply cannot afford the care they need. I will help them.

I welcome your comments and thoughts.  I want well thought out things, factual, principled and without emotion.

Thanks for reading

Rohan