I applaud Gov. Baldacci for proposing to get health insurance for all Mainers. Nobody else has a proposal. That said, there are serious problems with Dirigo Health.

Dirigo Health could be the largest expansion of government in Maine history. If it could cover all 180,000 uninsured Mainers, then perhaps it would be justified. Only 50,000-60,000 would be affected by Dirigo. What about the rest?

Is there any system working anywhere like Dirigo? With a plan to overhaul Maine’s $5 billion health care business, one would hope so. The answer is no.

Kentucky did in 1998, committing $250 million from the state employees’ health plan, raising taxes and charging premiums based on income. The reserve, taxes and premiums evaporated in 20 months.

After scrapping the plan, Kentucky repealed guaranteed issue, broadened community rating and put in a risk pool. Carriers that left Kentucky returned. Rates dropped and are now 40-60 percent less than we pay here.

Maine should follow Kentucky (and 31 states) in doing something that actually works. Maine would tap $1 million in federal funding to set up the risk pool and grants covering up to 50 percent of claims. If we wait, federal funding disappears.

A risk pool could be augmented by a fund all insured people pay into, allowing the uninsured subsidies to buy private insurance. No taxpayer funds. No expansion of state government bureaucracy.

Wouldn’t simpler be better?

David S. Spellman, legislative chair

National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors-Maine,

Cumberland