one of a zillion examples where the govt enhances monopoly power (and then complains about how "markets" work)

Wow...some solid econ from a letter-writer in today's C-J-- and coincidentally, a friend of mine (hat tip: Anne Coates):

This is one of many things that could be done to reduce government, increase choice/freedom, and lower costs in health care/insurance.

Change anti-trust laws

I'm from Indiana's 9th District, and was fortunate that my friend in Rep. John Yarmuth's district invited me to listen to his town hall teleconference, as my own representative is not communicating about health care with his constituents on this summer break.

In the midst of many questions, Yarmuth hit it on the head: Major League Baseball and health care insurance companies are the only two industries exempt from anti-trust laws. When the anti-trust exemptions were repealed from telecommunications, competition resulted in free long distance calling. Instead of creating a new health care insurance product — a government option that doesn't guarantee better health care — why doesn't Congress repeal the anti-trust law to create a more competitive market for health care consumers?

RACHEL LOY

Jeffersonville, Ind. 47130