The Sun's recent editorial regarding the Affordable Care Act ("Can Evergreen force Obamacare to live up to its promise?" June 19) raises critical issues regarding Maryland's implementation of health care reform and its impact on consumers. Not only was the Affordable Care Act designed to foster innovation, as stated, but it created opportunities for individual states to serve as "learning laboratories."
Maryland has been a prime example of the efficacy of that approach. Examples include our All-Payer Model with hospitals adopting global budgets to improve care and lower costs. Another is, as pointed out, the innovative design of Evergreen Health Cooperative. The goals of these two programs, and others Maryland is implementing, are well aligned and demonstrate a focus on putting the needs of consumers first.
Therefore, Consumer Health First appreciates Insurance Commissioner Alfred Redmer Jr.'s recognition of the value of Evergreen's approach, and we anticipate addressing this in our testimony at the Maryland Insurance Administration's upcoming hearing on the proposed 2017 rates of insurance carriers including Evergreen. Those, too, must reflect the best interests of consumers in not only having access to the optimal care but the ability to do so at a price they can afford.
Leni Preston, Bethesda
The writer is president of Consumer Health First, formerly known as the Maryland Women's Coalition for Health Care Reform.