Ezra Klein In Three Sentences. Me In Four.

Ezra Klein is nothing if not windy. Here's today's 600+ word brainfart on why allowing more competition in the health insurance industry would be a bad thing. For those who don't have the time for Ezra, or simply have a low threshold of pain, here's the only summary you'll ever need:

1. Allowing inter-state health insurance competition is a bad idea because it's a Republican idea.
2. Allowing inter-state health insurance competition is a bad idea because some Senator would cut a backroom deal with the insurance industry that would subvert competition.
3. So no competition keeps prices lower.

Now here's the only translation you'll ever need:

1. Allowing inter-state health insurance competition would anger vested interests that exert influence over Congressional Democrats.
2. Think banking reform and you'll understand why this doesn't work for those same Congressional Democrats.
3. At this point, any Senatorial sell-out would have to come from a Democrat.
4. And after the Louisiana Purchase and the Cornhusker Kickback, who could argue with a straight face that a Democratic sell-out is precisely what would happen.

You're Welcome.

Comments

[sparky]

despite my being a horrid lefty, i like your editing takes on people, but this post is just wrong. whether on purpose or accidentally i can't say. Klein is arguing against eliminating state boundaries for regulatory purposes (an R preference) because it would result (he believes) in a corporate race to the bottom. now, we can argue about whether positing reduced costs from allowing national plans to override state rules is worthwhile, but to pretend (1) that he's talking about intra-state competition without giving the inter-state context and (2) arguing that state interests will trump federal lobbying for national regulations is just, well, misleading at best. from what i have read of you, you seem pretty honest so i find this post kinda strange.

flame away :)

[Dennis the Peasant]

Sparky-

It would help if I used "inter" when I mean "inter", rather than "intra" when I mean "inter".

Duh.

At this point, who I am to flame anyone?

[Dennis the Peasant]

Anyway, I took it that Klein was arguing state interests would triumph. I think he could be right, but only to an extent. The real problem would center around leadership. Weak leadership out the White House leads to things like the Louisiana Purchase and the Cornhusker Kickback; it is not inevitable.

Understand I am not arguing for the provision because it's a Republican initiative. I have no doubt that where it to come to a vote, plenty of Republicans would vote against it to protect vested interests. I think the proposal is a good idea because real competition, more often than not, leads to better products at lower prices.

[David]

Thanks for the time and effort. I get the shakes when I read my boy Ezra. He's not (quite) as pretentious as Matty the Y., but every bit as smug. Jove save us from these geniuses.

[dndrko]

How's the stomach/weight loss going? I was diagnosed with mild type II diabetes in early November and told to lose 20 lbs. So far I lost maybe 3 ozs. It's way tougher than quiting smoking or drinking.

[Dennis the Peasant]

I've lost 3 lbs. in 2 weeks. Not great stuff, but I haven't been exercising at all. I hope to get back on that train this week. Been doing a pretty good job of staying on the Weight Watchers system. The Nexium hasn't done shit for my stomach, so the Dr. has switched me to something else. I get that pill next week.

And Howard Zinn is still dead.

[just passin by]

I bet 3 oz. of ground up Zinn would completely cleanse your system. Talk about Colon Blow!

[fletch]

Klein is arguing against eliminating state boundaries for regulatory purposes (an R preference) because it would result (he believes) in a corporate race to the bottom.

Why would anybody believe that?

Do all retailers use the WalMart 'model'?

Are all restaurants Taco Bell?

The Senate Bill mandates that 90% of receipts are paid out for claims. Profit becomes 10% of receipts plus investment minus overhead. Which would you want as a company exec-- 1 mil people paying $5K/yr or 1 mil people paying $10k/yr?

It doesn't cost extra to administer a more expensive plan- that extra profit flows straight to the bottom line.

[J West]

1. RE Your #4.
2. You underestimate their contempt for the electorate.
3. You wouldn't have the brass to pull another pay-off.
4. They consider us too stupid to comprehend much of anything. The NJ, VA, MA results have frightened them -a bit.
5. But their conviction of their ultimate correctness and the inability of the vast unwashed to master the complex issues they face is largely unshaken.
6. Don't see much light on the other side of the aisle, either.
7. Ever since the Brown election, the WAPOST and NYTIMES have in indulged in a frenzied denigration of the middle class.
8. Good servants, they are.
9. Possessing impeccable middle class credentials, am watching myself be slandered daily by almost every tier of the establishment.
10. I am a racist, homophobic, environmentally degrading, misogynistic, religious, gun clutching, slobbering caveman.
11. I will also swallow just about any line they throw out.
12. All there in black and white.
13. Hell, you do a better job of documenting this foolishness than just about anyone else.
V/R JWest