Research

Earlier this week, a New York Times article highlighted Maine as an example of a state that has tried to reform its health care system but has been unsuccessful. In an effort to lower costs and cover more people, Maine created a public plan, expanded Medicaid, thought about mandating coverage, and more. Why is Maine significant? Because the policies Maine tried are the same ones House and Senate Democrats favor. Take a look:

Maine is the Charlie Brown of health care. The state’s legislators have tried for decades to fix its system, but their efforts have always fallen short: health insurance premiums are still among the least affordable in the nation, health care spending per person is among the highest and hospital emergency rooms are among the most crowded. Indeed, many overhauls to the system have done little more than squeeze a balloon — solving one problem while worsening another… Maine’s history is a cautionary tale for national health reform. The state could never figure out how to slow the spiraling increase in medical costs, hobbling its efforts to offer more people insurance coverage. Many on Capitol Hill have criticized national reform legislation for similarly doing little to tame costs.

The warning signs are out there, but Congressional Democrats haven’t taken them seriously and opted to advance government-run health care. Maybe they should look to Maine as an example of what not do to. If they did, they’d be reminded that government-run health care, will force doctors out of business, increase premiums, and place a financial burden on young Americans.