An editorial today in the Boston Globe gushed over the possibilities presented by a new reform proposal developed by Americas Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the trade association that represents private health insurance plans. It isn't that the Globe supports that particular plan, but rather, they are ecstatic that AHIP, who prevented enactment of Hillarycare in 1993 with their famous "Harry and Louise" advertising campaign, seem to be willing to make "concessions."

First of all, we would do well to remember that Harry and Louise are already back – except this time, their message seems to be "pass something, anything!"

Second, let's look at AHIP's concession: They are willing to stop denying coverage to the sick – that's big. What do they want in exchange? They politely request that the government force every man, woman, and child in America to purchase their products. Nice deal!

Much of the push for "universal health care" comes in the wake of the landmark Massachusetts health reform plan. But proponents are quick to ignore the many problems that plan is seeing – prices are skyrocketing, most of the newly-covered have free or subsidized plans, and many people who are now covered by insurance are unable to find doctors.

Before we make this Faustian bargain to increase coverage, and try to imitate a plan that was created in very unique circumstances, let's focus on lowering the costs of health care, and improving the quality. More than ten million people are already eligible for free coverage; they just haven't filled out the forms. And allowing small businesses to band together and purchase health care would save the government money. These sound like no-brainer solutions to me.