Apparently U.S. Rep Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, does not understand that insurance is a business. That business is the spreading of risk over a group of policy holders. If some policy holders have conditions that put them at greater risk of requiring payment for medical care, they should pay more than those without such pre-existing conditions. Commercial fishermen pay more for accident insurance than do school teachers, whose occupation entails less risk of accidental injury. Why should health insurance be different? 

To require insurance companies to charge the same premiums for all health insurance policy holders means an increase in premiums for those who are healthy and without pre-existing conditions. That is discrimination against the healthy policy holders. 

Prohibiting increased rates for those with pre-existing conditions either puts insurance companies out of business or drives healthy people away from such policies. 

Michael McLane

Ledyard