[ArmstedFragg]

Well, in a way, the statement that this is the first time the feds require an adequate network of doctors is true. It’s never been an issue before. Insurers with inadequate networks lost customers. Remember, that was back in the old days when consumers had choices and there was this thing called a free market in play.

[grania]

To offer an attractive price, the insurers cut back on doctors, hospitals, sources for pharmaceuticals etc. It's been that way since the advent of HMOs. So, people are signing up for plans that don't cover good choices for themselves, as insurance companies keep everything as centralized and under-their-thumb as possible.

The real solution is for the feds to get out of insurance and health care. But since Obama plans to stay and the HOR won't cut funding of it, something has to be done about access. Oftentimes, people can't get medical care anywhere near where they live.

The answer is a choice of pay-as-able (with some required minimum) clinics people can get to for bare bones medical treatment.