Paul Plan

Has he taken
Any time
To show you
What you need to live?
--Zombies

After the failure of another flawed 'Obamacare Lite' healthcare bill, it appears that President Trump is preparing an executive order to allow people to purchase health insurance across state lines. Essentially, this is Senator Rand Paul's 'association health plans' proposal.

This would be very positive and possesses far more potential impact than any health care reform discussed to date. Why? Because it fundamentally improves the system. As Paul observes, this plan frees the market by giving individuals the ability to club together in groups that would increase their bargaining power with a larger stable of insurance providers.

The plan is thought to not require congressional approval because authority for it already exists. The Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) already permits multi-state corporations to buy insurance across state lines. Paul thinks that the president can act on his own with an executive interpretation of existing law that expands the definition of who can form an association.

"The good thing about my plan is that it costs zero dollars," Paul adds.

That may be true, Rand, but it will take money out of the pockets of myriad special interests. It also subtracts from state power as it adds to social power. As such, expect those who a) benefit from the current arrangement, b) aspire toward a single payer healthcare system in the US...to object.