Survey: Should Retailers Sell Health Insurance?

From MedPage Today:

Survey: Should Retailers Sell Health Insurance?

Walgreens, a national pharmacy chain with medical clinics in some of its stores, will reportedly be setting up a private insurance exchange to sell health insurance. Vote.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Surveys/

When I checked 30% voted no, 70% voted yes. What is your opinion? Why?

I vote yes....The more competition the better. I don't know anything about the Walgreens proposal, but, it may be tied to their in-store clinics.
Patients may be encouraged to visit their clinics first..with no or low co-pay. This may avoid Walgreens paying doctor fees. The plan may also limit Prescription purchase to their stores or the co-pay may be higher. This may be an opportunity for people that have no coverage at work or no coverage because of lay offs to purchase a reasonable priced plan.....These are only assumptions on my part.

This sounds great because there would be competition. But would Walgreens offer the same kind of coverage like most insurance companies? That I doubt. I am for competition and I believe that Walgreens would get its share of policy holders but I guess I am alone in saying that they do not have the experience of other insurance companies.

Would they hire agents to talk to potential buyers to discuss their policies? Will they cover pre existing conditions?

It's a hard question to answer without knowing any of the detail of the types of coverage tht will be offered. I'd say yes, though.