No sympathy for auto insurers' suit

Let's all pity the poor auto insurance companies, who are now suing the state insurance commissioner because they don't like having to compete against "foreign" (i.e. non-Massachusetts) insurance companies ("Insurance commissioner sued," June 6).

Arbella hasn't complained over the past 30 years, during which they were protected from having to compete against other insurance companies.

What's the "right" way to handle auto insurance?

Let the free market do it.

Let every auto insurance company in the country offer their policies to me.

Let me choose which one I want.

Let competition drive down the price.

Let me not have to support a government bureaucracy (the state commissioner of insurance) with my taxes.

Let me not have to pay "as much as $150 a year" in order to subsidize the coverage of "undesirable drivers".

What about "undesirable drivers?" If my driving record is so bad that no insurance company desires to insure me, then it is morally wrong for me to use the government to coerce you to subsidize my insurance. If I can't improve my record, or if I can't afford the price of an insurance policy, then I have no right to drive.

Robert Allan Schwartz, Lexington

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts believes that an e-prescribing mandate is necessary to further the adoption of e-prescribing to increase healthcare quality and affordability for everyone ("Congress may prod doctors toward electronic prescriptions," June 4). Writing prescriptions electronically via a secure network makes patients safer by eliminating the risk of illegible handwriting and eliminating data entry errors at the pharmacy. Patient medication history is available and prescriptions are checked for drug and allergy interactions. E-prescribing is a valuable tool in the prevention of medication errors; it makes it more convenient for patients to fill prescriptions and may even increase the likelihood that a patient picks up the prescription and adheres to a treatment plan.

In addition to this increased patient safety, patients can also save money in copayments. In 2006, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts members who received electronic prescriptions saved $800,000 in copayments associated with their prescriptions because their providers had their formulary available and were able to choose less expensive alternatives. On average, our members saved $20-$25 per prescription, or about $250 per year for maintenance medications.

E-prescribing is a healthcare improvement whose time has come.

Steven J. Fox, vice president, provider network management Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Boston

You pointed out a lot of great ideas and coverage issues ("Homeowner's insurance for less," June 8).

I appreciate you stating to "prod agents to look at these or other cost savings." Each customer deserves an insurance plan that is best suited for that particular client. As an independent agent I always encourage all of our customers to call us all throughout the year to discuss their insurance policies and coverages.

James Lee, vice president of operations, H. Levenbaum Insurance Agency Inc.

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