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{{Short description|Autonomous non-corporate association of medical risk compensation plan members}}
A '''health insurance cooperative''' is a ] entity that has the goal of providing ] and is also owned by the people that the organization insures.<ref> Retrieved on August 17, 2009</ref> It is a form of ]. A '''health insurance cooperative''' is a ] entity that has the goal of providing ] and is also owned by the people that the organization insures. It is a form of ].


==United States== ==United States==
{{update|section|date=December 2013}}
In the debate over ], health care cooperatives are posited as an alternative to both ] and ]. In the debate over ], healthcare cooperatives are posited as an alternative to both ] and ].


It has been proposed as part of the ] by the ] as a possible compromise with ] (as well as with ]) in the search for ] in the ].<ref> Retrieved on August 17, 2009</ref><ref> Retrieved on August 17, 2009</ref><ref> Retrieved on August 18, 2009</ref> Cooperatives had been proposed as part of the ] by the ] as a possible compromise with ] (as well as with ]) in the search for ] in the ].<ref> Retrieved on August 17, 2009</ref><ref> Retrieved on August 17, 2009</ref><ref> Retrieved on August 18, 2009</ref>
As it is being proposed by ] ] and others, a future health insurance cooperative would not be government owned or run, but would instead receive an initial government investment and would then be operated as a ].<ref> Retrieved on August 17, 2009</ref> As proposed by ] ] and others, a future health insurance cooperative would not be government owned or run, but would instead receive an initial government investment and would then be operated as a ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401180540/https://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/53362687.html |date=2019-04-01 }} Retrieved on August 17, 2009</ref>


While a health insurance co-op is not strictly run by the government, hence not making it a public entity, it has been described by Senator ] of ], who is also the chairman of the ] as "tough enough to keep insurance companies’ feet to the fire."<ref> Retrieved on August 17, 2009</ref> He has proposed a bill that includes a health insurance cooperative instead of the ].<ref> Retrieved September 18, 2009</ref> While a health insurance co-op is not strictly run by the government, hence not making it a public entity, it has been described by former Senator ] of ], who was the chairman of the ] until his retirement from the Senate in 2014, as "tough enough to keep insurance companies’ feet to the fire."<ref> Retrieved on August 17, 2009</ref> He proposed a bill that includes a health insurance cooperative instead of the ].<ref> Retrieved September 18, 2009</ref>


There once were numerous rural health cooperatives established by the ] (FSA). Most of them closed or merged over the years, generally because they lacked a sufficient ] (i.e., they were too small to function efficiently). Thus, co-operatives currently have so little ] as to be "invisible".<ref>Michael R. Grey. ] Medicine: The Rural Health Programs of the ]. Baltimore: ]. 1999.</ref> <!-- (broken link) In contrast, the currently proposed co-ops would likely be statewide.<ref name="Herald"></ref> --> There once were numerous rural health cooperatives established by the ] (FSA). Most of them closed or merged over the years, generally because they lacked a sufficient ] (i.e., they were too small to function efficiently). Thus, co-operatives currently have so little ] as to be "invisible".<ref>Michael R. Grey. ] Medicine: The Rural Health Programs of the ]. Baltimore: ]. 1999.</ref> <!-- (broken link) In contrast, the currently proposed co-ops would likely be statewide.<ref name="Herald">{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1190956.html|title=Are health care co-ops the answer for reforming the system? - Miami Herald}}</ref> -->


The bill proposed by ], the ], which uses health insurance cooperatives, was estimated by the ] to cost $829 billion over ten years, and because of the increase in taxes on premium insurance plans with high benefits, would lead to a reduction in the deficit of $81 billion.<ref> Retrieved October 7, 2009</ref> It would expand coverage to 94 percent of all eligible Americans.<ref> Retrieved Octover 7, 2009</ref> The bill proposed by ], the ], which uses health insurance cooperatives, was estimated by the ] to cost $829 billion over ten years, and because of the increase in taxes of $210 billion over 10 years<ref>The Atlantic, 07 Oct 2009</ref> on premium insurance plans with high benefits, would lead to a reduction in the deficit of $81 billion.<ref>, The Atlantic Retrieved October 7, 2009</ref> It would expand coverage to 94 percent of all eligible Americans.<ref> - ] Retrieved August 7, 2014</ref>


=== Criticism === ===Support===
⚫ During a September 2009 report by ] of ], he stated that "supporters know, here in Minnesota and other farm states think co-ops could solve at least a big chunk of the healthcare access and affordability problem." He interviewed Bill Oemichen, President of the Cooperative Network, who remarked that "where co-ops are, they tend to be very, very high quality because it is the consumer who owns them, that is making sure that their health care provider is a quality health care provider." Oemichen also stated that 65% of those who switched from typical health insurance reported better coverage and service.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0909/06/sotu.01.html|publisher=]|date=September 6, 2009|author=John King|author-link=John King (journalist)|access-date=September 21, 2009|title=Interview With Senators Klobuchar, Nelson; Interview With Governor Pawlenty}}</ref>
⚫ ] and other Democrats have criticized abandoning the idea of a federally-run, statewide, public option in favor of co-ops, questioning whether the co-ops would have enough negotiating power to compete with private health insurers.<ref name=Boston>{{citenews|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/06/21/healthcare_debate_shifting_to_public_vs_private/?page=full|accessdate=September 21, 2009|title=Health debate shifting to public vs. private|publisher='']''|date=June 21, 2009|first=Lisa|last=Wangsness}}</ref> The activist groups ] and ] have also stated their opposition.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Prominent economists such as 2008 Nobel Economics Laureate ] and ] have also questioned co-ops ability to become large enough to reduce health care costs significantly. Thus, they both support the public option instead, which they state has strong opposition from the insurance industry.<ref></ref><ref>{{citenews|author=]|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/opinion/18krugman.html?_r=2&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss|title=Baucus and the Threshold|publisher='']''|date=September 17, 2009|accessdate=September 21, 2009}}</ref>


In June 2009, Republican Senator ] told reporters, "if it’s all done entirely within the private sector, you know, it doesn’t seem to me it’s got the faults that you have... by having the government institute something."<ref name=Boston/> Steven Hill, a program director at the ], has written for ] that "co-ops may hold the key to a substantive compromise", comparing the U.S. reform proposals with ]. He argued that they can produce quality care for less money given that they would lack the ], they would negotiate fees for service, and that they would end current ] that insurance companies have in several states.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/2009/10/12/cooperatives/|title=Relax. You'll love healthcare cooperatives! Honest|date=12 October 2009|website=Salon}}</ref>
=== Support ===
⚫ During a September 2009 report by ] of ], he stated that "supporters know, here in Minnesota and other farm states think co-ops could solve at least a big chunk of the health care access and affordability problem." He interviewed Bill Oemichen, President of the Cooperative Network, who remarked that "where co-ops are, they tend to be very, very high quality because it is the consumer who owns them, that is making sure that their health care provider is a quality health care provider." Oemichen also stated that 65% of those who switched from typical health insurance reported better coverage and service.<ref>{{citenews|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0909/06/sotu.01.html|publisher=]|date=September 6, 2009|author=]|accessdate=September 21, 2009|title=Interview With Senators Klobuchar, Nelson; Interview With Governor Pawlenty}}</ref>


===Criticism===
In June 2009, Republican Senator ] told reporters, "if it’s all done entirely within the private sector, you know, it doesn’t seem to me it’s got the faults that you have... by having the government institute something."<ref name=Boston/> Grassley's opinions on the issue has been criticized by former ] VP and ]er ], who has said that "this senator has the insurance industry’s best interests at heart, not the American public and not his constituents."<ref> ] Blasts Senate Panel Rejection of Public Insurance Option" ] interviewer, 9/30/09.</ref> Senator Grassley's opinions have also been criticized by the ], a ] ], that stated that he is the ranking Republican on taking funds from lobbyists for anti-health reform and has received more than $2 million from health-related companies since 2003.<ref>Jack Cafferty ] September 3, 2009</ref>
⚫ ] and other Democrats have criticized abandoning the idea of a federally run, statewide, public option in favor of co-ops, questioning whether the co-ops would have enough negotiating power to compete with private health insurers.<ref name=Boston>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/06/21/healthcare_debate_shifting_to_public_vs_private/?page=full|access-date=September 21, 2009|title=Health debate shifting to public vs. private|newspaper=]|date=June 21, 2009|first=Lisa|last=Wangsness}}</ref> The activist groups ] and ] have also stated their opposition.<ref name=Boston/> 2008 Nobel Economics Laureate ] and political commentator ] have also questioned co-ops' ability to become large enough to reduce health care costs significantly. Thus, they both support the ] instead, which they state has strong opposition from the insurance industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://robertreich.blogspot.com/search?q=cooperatives|title=Where to find me}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Paul Krugman|author-link=Paul Krugman|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/opinion/18krugman.html?_r=2&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss|title=Baucus and the Threshold|newspaper=]|date=September 17, 2009|access-date=September 21, 2009}}</ref>


==Examples== ==Examples==
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==See also== ==See also==
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==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
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{{Co-operatives}} {{Co-operatives |types}}


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Latest revision as of 01:16, 21 December 2024

Autonomous non-corporate association of medical risk compensation plan members

A health insurance cooperative is a cooperative entity that has the goal of providing health insurance and is also owned by the people that the organization insures. It is a form of mutual insurance.

United States

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (December 2013)

In the debate over healthcare reform, healthcare cooperatives are posited as an alternative to both publicly funded healthcare and single-payer healthcare.

Cooperatives had been proposed as part of the healthcare reform debate in the United States by the Barack Obama administration as a possible compromise with Blue Dog Democrats (as well as with Republicans) in the search for universal healthcare in the United States. As proposed by President Obama and others, a future health insurance cooperative would not be government owned or run, but would instead receive an initial government investment and would then be operated as a non-profit organization.

While a health insurance co-op is not strictly run by the government, hence not making it a public entity, it has been described by former Senator Max Baucus of Montana, who was the chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Finance until his retirement from the Senate in 2014, as "tough enough to keep insurance companies’ feet to the fire." He proposed a bill that includes a health insurance cooperative instead of the public option.

There once were numerous rural health cooperatives established by the Farm Security Administration (FSA). Most of them closed or merged over the years, generally because they lacked a sufficient economy of scale (i.e., they were too small to function efficiently). Thus, co-operatives currently have so little market share as to be "invisible".

The bill proposed by Max Baucus, the America's Healthy Future Act, which uses health insurance cooperatives, was estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to cost $829 billion over ten years, and because of the increase in taxes of $210 billion over 10 years on premium insurance plans with high benefits, would lead to a reduction in the deficit of $81 billion. It would expand coverage to 94 percent of all eligible Americans.

Support

During a September 2009 report by John King of CNN, he stated that "supporters know, here in Minnesota and other farm states think co-ops could solve at least a big chunk of the healthcare access and affordability problem." He interviewed Bill Oemichen, President of the Cooperative Network, who remarked that "where co-ops are, they tend to be very, very high quality because it is the consumer who owns them, that is making sure that their health care provider is a quality health care provider." Oemichen also stated that 65% of those who switched from typical health insurance reported better coverage and service.

In June 2009, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley told reporters, "if it’s all done entirely within the private sector, you know, it doesn’t seem to me it’s got the faults that you have... by having the government institute something." Steven Hill, a program director at the New America Foundation, has written for Salon.com that "co-ops may hold the key to a substantive compromise", comparing the U.S. reform proposals with health care in Germany. He argued that they can produce quality care for less money given that they would lack the profit motive, they would negotiate fees for service, and that they would end current market monopolies that insurance companies have in several states.

Criticism

Howard Dean and other Democrats have criticized abandoning the idea of a federally run, statewide, public option in favor of co-ops, questioning whether the co-ops would have enough negotiating power to compete with private health insurers. The activist groups SEIU and MoveOn.org have also stated their opposition. 2008 Nobel Economics Laureate Paul Krugman and political commentator Robert Reich have also questioned co-ops' ability to become large enough to reduce health care costs significantly. Thus, they both support the public option instead, which they state has strong opposition from the insurance industry.

Examples

See also

References

  1. "White House appears ready to drop 'public option'" Retrieved on August 17, 2009
  2. "White House Appears Open to Insurance Co-ops" New York Times Retrieved on August 17, 2009
  3. "Chances Dim for a Public Plan" The Wall Street Journal Retrieved on August 18, 2009
  4. "President Obama Considering Insurance Co-Op" KKTV.com Archived 2019-04-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on August 17, 2009
  5. "Co-op Health Plan Emerging as a Senate Option" New York Times Retrieved on August 17, 2009
  6. "Zen Health Reform" - Slate.com Retrieved September 18, 2009
  7. Michael R. Grey. New Deal Medicine: The Rural Health Programs of the Farm Security Administration. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. 1999.
  8. The Atlantic, "New CBO Score Of Baucus Bill" 07 Oct 2009
  9. "The Baucus Bill Cuts The Deficit", The Atlantic Retrieved October 7, 2009
  10. "Health bill would cost $829B, help cover 94 pct" - Seattle Times Retrieved August 7, 2014
  11. John King (September 6, 2009). "Interview With Senators Klobuchar, Nelson; Interview With Governor Pawlenty". State of the Union with John King. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
  12. ^ Wangsness, Lisa (June 21, 2009). "Health debate shifting to public vs. private". Boston Globe. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
  13. "Relax. You'll love healthcare cooperatives! Honest". Salon. 12 October 2009.
  14. "Where to find me".
  15. Paul Krugman (September 17, 2009). "Baucus and the Threshold". The New York Times. Retrieved September 21, 2009.

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