Rhode Island Policy Reporter

RIPR looks at state and federal policy issues that affect life here in the Ocean State. Each report focuses on particular policy areas of interest. Future issues will examine controversial aspects of environmental policy, health care, property tax reform, and education spending. The intention is to look at action rather than talk. We aspire to be a news source that never attends news conferences, where little of substance is ever said.

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Available Issues:

  • Oct 04 - RIPTA and DOT, who's really in crisis?
  • Aug 04 - MTBE and well pollution, Mathematical problems with property taxes
  • May 04 - A look at food-safety issues: mad cows, genetic engineering, disappearing farmland.
  • Mar 04 - FY05 RI State Budget Critique.
  • Feb 04 - A close look at the Blue Cross of RI annual statement.
  • Oct 03 - Taxing matters, a historical overview of tax burdens in Rhode Island
  • Oct 03 Appendix - Methodology notes and sources for October issue
  • Apr 03 - FY04 RI State Budget critique
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Archive

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Tue, 23 Nov 2004

Where's the Health Insurance Commissioner?

You can pass all the laws you want, but the power to enforce them still belongs to the Governor. Six months ago, the legislature passed the "Health Care Reform Act of 2004" which, among other things, provided for a Health Insurance Commissioner and a Community Advisory Council, to try to keep a tighter rein on health insurance costs. To date, neither has been appointed or convened.

So last week, Blue Cross asked for (and will probably receive) a 17% rate increase for people who buy their insurance direct (usually because they don't belong to a group or don't have a job -- like me). The state's insurance "advocate" said, "it's probably justified."

It would seem from outward appearances that the Governor feels there is no answer to health insurance costs besides the magic of the market.

12:09 - 23 Nov 2004 [/m0411] link