To save time I looked at the department in my own state – Illinois. It is called the Illinois Department of Insurance. I was shocked to to read the mission statement in the center of the top banner. It said, “The mission of the Department of Insurance is to protect consumers by providing assistance and information, by efficiently regulating the insurance industry’s market behavior and financial solvency, and by fostering a competitive insurance marketplace.”

Do you see why I was shocked to read this? The purpose of this agency is to regulate and foster competition within the insurance industry. Do you know what this whole healthcare bill is about? Whether or not the government should regulate and control health insurance to foster competition. Is that not the exact same thing?

The republicans in congress should object to the president’s plan on the grounds that we already have a department in every state to do what he is suggesting. The democrats should say fine, now let’s move on to the entitlement part to make sure everyone has health insurance.

I wonder if the bill eliminates the state departments? It should, since they have obviously failed at their task. I’m sure the individual departments would say they can’t do their job without more money and staff. Will the democrats agree to cut these state bureaucracies if the bill passes? Democrats would never cut a government office.

I couldn’t find out how many government employees work at the Illinois Department of Insurance. Their website outlines their organization with an Executive Staff, Legal Department, Consumer Market Department with 7 subsidiaries, a Financial-Corporate Regulatory Department with five sections, and support staff. What are they doing?

There are huge healthcare questions that need to be answered. Why do x-rays cost thousands when they should cost hundreds? How do we keep premiums down so most people can afford them? How do we provide insurance to the poor, the people un-insurable with pre-existing conditions, and yes, the people who live irresponsibly? How do we promote research for new and better medical devices, drugs, and procedures? How do we get the right people to the summit table to answer these questions?

Let me be clear – I don’t believe the government can effectively manage the healthcare of 300 million people. It will be slower, more costly, and take the lives of countless Americans. The government should be about the business of regulating and taxing. Government is necessary for establishing insurance industry rules so that citizens are protected. They can redistribute wealth so that the disadvantaged has access to medical care. End of story!

Now, what do we do about these state insurance boards?