State health insurance pools: current performance, future prospects.

State health insurance pools have been suggested to help cover the uninsured. Their attraction lies in the theoretical economies of pooling and the limited public role intended for their administration and funding. Almost all existing pools have targeted high health risks, otherwise uninsurable people who can still afford high premiums for conventional, major-medical-style coverage. Enrollments have been low, even relative to the small eligible population, and medical spending high. Little risk pooling or other savings seem to have occurred. Deficits have therefore mounted, necessitating increased assessments on all private health insurers in pool states and indirectly burdening state treasuries as well. Better pools would have to attract a broader mix of risks, actively manage medical spending, or both.