If insurance companies ran the post office ...

I have heard conservatives argue against having a public option in health insurance by saying, “Do you want government to run health care like it runs the post office?”

Let's turn it around. If health insurance companies ran the post office, you would have to fill out three separate forms to mail a package. You wouldn't know what it would cost to send it, because nobody would be able to tell you, even if you spent a week on the phone with them. You would only know a month later after you received the bill, but additional charges would be added two months later, and adjusted again after six months. You can try to complain, if you want, but chances are you won't remember what it was you mailed way-back-when.

If health insurance companies ran the post office, it would also cost you money to NOT mail a package. They would have the right to refuse to deliver your package if they think it wouldn't be cost-effective. And they could cancel your contract to ship packages if you mailed too many.

I'd rather get my health insurance from the government than from a for-profit conglomerate any day.

Stephen Fitzhenry

Marion