Micah Weinberg's op-ed in The Sacramento Bee asks policymakers to move beyond the "heartless insurers" vs. "socialized medicine" rhetoric to come up with a practical solution for health care reform. This would include the choice of a public insurance plan that competes fairly with private plans.

Weinberg lays out three essential criteria for fair competition:

-Equality under the law: All regulations apply to all plans, public and private;
-Self-sufficiency: All plans cover their own costs; and
-Free Choice: Those who cannot afford insurance will be given government subsidies to choose either a public or private insurance plan.
 
Just such an option was outlined by Len Nichols and John Bertko of the New America Foundation in their "Modest Proposal for a Competing Public Health Plan" paper. For more information about this proposal, please contact Len Nichols, Director of the Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation at (202) 596 3410 or nichols@newamerica.net.

Micah Weinberg is Senior Research Fellow for the California Program at the New America Foundation. He works with the national Health Policy Program to inform government officials and policymakers about New America's proposed reforms to health financing and delivery systems. Weinberg's specific focus is on state health policy, building on prior research and consulting positions in which he worked with legislators and state executive staffs to develop strategies to control health costs while improving access and promoting innovation.

To arrange an interview with Micah Weinberg, please contact Elizabeth Wu at (510) 295-9859 or e-mail Wu@newamerica.net.

About the New America Foundation
The New America Foundation is a nonprofit, post-partisan public policy institute whose purpose is to bring exceptionally promising new voices and new ideas to the fore of our nation's public discourse. Relying on a venture capital approach, the Foundation invests in outstanding individuals and policy solutions that transcend the conventional political spectrum. Headquartered in our nation's capital, New America also has offices in California and New York. More information is available at www.newamerica.net.