Healthy people save insurance companies money, because they pay premiums, but the insurer doesn’t have to pay a lot out for their health care. So, some say, the best way to encourage people to stay healthy is to let them buy into their own insurance company.
Lindy Wallace is leading an effort to start a new health insurance co-operative in Colorado. Policyholders all will be part owners, and benefit financially from any savings. The effort here just got a big boost, a $70 million start-up loan. It’s part of the federal health care law. She and Bill Omechin of The Cooperative Network Wisconsin talk about existing and planned health care cooperatives here and nationwide.
[Photo: CPR News]
