The idea that we need a government option to provide competition to keep the insurance companies honest is laughable. When has the government ever been able to compete with any entity other than another government?
The success of privatization, fought fiercely by public worker unions, is based on private businesses taking over an existing government activity, be it garbage collection, sewage treatment, or prisons, and then making a profit, paying taxes and reducing taxpayers’ costs, all the while improving service.
Think of it this way: Imagine that people are grumbling about the high cost of garments and the government’s answer is to suggest that we need to establish a government garment manufacturer in order to keep the garment manufacturers honest. Imagine it.