“Pennsylvania health-care reform a solid, cost-aware plan,” - Op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer

The Philadelphia Inquirer ran an op-ed by two Yale professors praising Pennsylvania's effort at health-care reform, today.

Rendell's particular approach has much to like. Indeed, it is more serious about cost control and unified coverage than the Massachusetts program or the proposals of the presidential hopefuls.

Why? The Rendell plan includes significant regulatory limits on underwriting, administrative costs and the huge variation in insurance premiums. Insurers will not be allowed to avoid the sick, charge them exorbitant premiums for coverage or fritter away too many precious dollars (although still a lot) on advertising and other non-health-related expenditures.