Health Care Talk (HCTalk.com)

[Denver Dave]

Health insurance debate turns to issue of co-ops
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2009-08-20-group-health-insurance_N.htm

"Co-op works like private insurance"

"Group Health was created in 1947 by farmers and loggers who were already pooling resources to pay for basic primary care on a small scale, said Aubrey Davis, an original founder of the co-op. Today, the non-profit has 566,000 members, making it the third-largest health insurer in Washington, state insurance records show."

"For patients, co-ops work just like private insurance: There are premiums and co-pays and, like an HMO, most enrollees see doctors within a network. Premiums for individual insurance have increased by an average of 12.3% a year since 2000, less than the largest private insurers in Washington, according to the state's Office of the Insurance Commissioner. By comparison, individual rates for a popular BlueCross plan in Washington rose an average of 18%, state records show."
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Dave Bean
Volunteer
www.Co-OperateColorado.org
303-777-0395