Maine created Dirigo as the panacea to solve the uninsured problem of its citizens. Dirigo has been, by most counts, a failure having attracted only 13,000 participants.
For the second year in a row, a new bill is coursing its way through the political process that would put another twist on this failed program.
Dirigo would become self-funded and apparently Maine would be its own reinsurer. This is intended to permit the replacement of Anthem that had the audacity to earn a profit of some $3.6 Million from its work on Dirigo.
States have every right to experiment with what their citizens believe ought to work, but they really should be more careful than is the case with some.
Maine will find itself in the health care authorization business. Rationing is the term that comes to mind. Political forces will be pushed and pulled by the heartbreak that illnesses and need for treatment bring. Politicians seem to believe that the supply of money is endless, and will be hard-pressed to save themselves from approving new coverage to gain votes.
Inevitably, there will be budget pressures and those will lead to increased cost-sharing with those covered, or increased taxes, or more stringent rationing…and likely a combination of the three.
Wisconsin needs to take note as it debates the issues involved with health care.
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