A bipartisan pair of state lawmakers are recommending a radical change to the way health insurance is bought and sold in Wisconsin by proposing the creation of a statewide insurance purchasing pool....The proposal would essentially impose an 8% to 12% payroll tax on all employers to provide basic health insurance to everyone in Wisconsin younger than 65. The cost would be supplemented by a portion of the federal government's share of the Medicaid program.
Enroll participants into the lowest-level plan, which would have a $1,200 deductible, half of which could be covered by the health savings account funds. People could, however, opt to pay more and select a higher-end plan. Employers would also be able to provide richer benefits if they choose.
Be administered by a newly created Health Insurance Purchasing Corporation, a private corporation governed by a nine-member board of directors, made up of representatives from business and labor groups along with two gubernatorial appointees.
Dahlia Remler, a professor at City University of New York who has studied the insurance market, said the plan could have some unintended side effects. Businesses could have a strong incentive to move to states without the tax, she said.
Disclaimer The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway.