Who cares what's going on with health care in Maine?

After all, it's a sparsely populated and relatively poor state surrounded by Canada. But in the world of Universal Health Care, Maine is a leader - the first state to pass universal health care into law. Maine Gov. John Baldacci pushed universal health insurance through the legislature over two years ago. Maine's, DirigoChoice, the state's subsidized insurance program, is open to all residents regardless of pre-existing health conditions. The premiums of low income residents are subsidizeed by the state.

Even so not enough people signed up for the program. Now Gov. Baldacci, is proposing making health insurance mandatory. Those who can afford to pay (incomes more than 400% of the federal poverty level) would have to buy health insurance. The premiums of lower income individuals would be susudized by the state. Employers could either pay - offer group health insurance to employees - or play - contribute to a state fund.

The mandatory element was missing in the original Maine plan as it is also in New York and New Jersey with disastrous results. Basically the healthy avoid paying premiums and wait until they need medical care before signing up. Insurance is based on the claim-free paying the costs of the claimants. Everybody has to be in the pool.