You missed the big story. While the former insurance commissioner answered the questions asked, you didn't ask all the right questions. Limited medical plans do have a place in the overall financial picture, but it's definitely limited. No question the call centers were deceitful, but until last year, those with pre-existing conditions couldn't get major medical insurance. Even today, for those losing their comprehensive insurance because of a job loss or other situation who have pre-existing conditions, limited medical plans can provide limited coverage that may, or may not, be better than nothing, but it's available UNTIL they've been without credible coverage for 6 months and can qualify to go on the new guaranteed coverage now available under ObamaCare. ObamaCare isn't perfect, it needs to be improved, not repealed, but it does make credible coverage to those needing medical insurance previously unavailable.

Now, here's what you and legislators are missing as far as Comprehensive Care is concerned. Think basic insurance. It's not meant to cover what you can afford to pay. It's meant to transfer risk for what you can't afford. The average Medicare Advantage can cost a senior over $5,000 out of pocket, but covers big expenses after co-pays and deductibles, and as a licensed insurance agent, I can sell a 35 year old client a high deductible policy that covers everything over $2,100 for hundreds of dollars less than a policy which offers $45 co-pays plus hundreds of dollars for deductibles that could add up to over $5,000 out of pocket, but under PPACA, the high deductible with a health savings account would not qualify as comprehensive coverage though presently a high deductible plan qualifies a HSA for favorable tax treatment. Might be interesting to find out how this got into the PPACA.

PS, tell Brokaw that despite the beautiful silver cigarette lighter he and the rest of the crew gave me as a going away present, my bride several years later convinced me to quit smoking. On a middle market anchor, we couldn't afford children and they would have really crimped our social life so after discussing it, we decided cigarette smoking could cause pregnancy. Having covered the 1st Air Cavalry's pre-Vietnam training in war games across the Carolinas and Georgia, he might remember I was a pretty accurate reporter and must have been adequately satisfied that my continued smoking could indeed have led to a pregnancy. If he wants to know how that's possible, he can get my contact info through the FL dept. of insurance.