In the past, I paid attention to the health care debate as a speechwriter who prepared speeches, talking points, op-eds, and debate prep material on the topic at different times for John Edwards, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and others. Now, I'm paying attention because I'm a citizen up the creek without a paddle.

Since I care more about my country than my personal pride, here's how I lost my insurance: I moved. That's right, I moved from Washington, D.C., back to Massachusetts, a state with universal health care.

In D.C., I had a policy with a national company, an HMO, and surprisingly I was very happy with it. I had a fantastic primary care doctor at Georgetown University Hospital. As a self-employed writer, my premium was $225 a month, plus $10 for a dental discount.

In Massachusetts, the cost for a similar plan is around $550, give or take a few dollars. My risk factors haven't changed. I didn't stop writing and become a stunt double. I don't smoke.

I drink a little and every once in a while a little more than I should. I have a Newfoundland dog. I am only 41. There has been no change in the way I live my life except my zip code — to a state with universal health care.

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Don't know who you are paying, but I live in MA and only pay 150 a month. That includes dental. So yeah either your lying or a fool...

Jules Crittenden's veracity has never been called into doubt:

Jules Crittenden is a Boston Herald editor who has reported on politics, crime, science, foreign affairs, and maritime and military matters in the United States, Asia, the Balkans and the Middle East. The views expressed here are Crittenden’s, and do not reflect the views of the Boston Herald.

Wendy Button has impressive credentials as well:

Wendy Button has written for John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Barack Obama, and Mayor Tom Menino of Boston as well as other national and international leaders, and is working on a book.

Any questions, zwyrbla?

That's all fine and dandy, but the numbers hes quoting are still ridiculous I've been an MA resident all my life and pay nothing close to that, simple fact. I guess my question would be why hasn't he switched providers? There are many more affordable options than his $500 a month plan.

I have no quarrel with what you've stated thus far, what I
would do is contact Wendy Button and advise her of whatever options would better serve her.

Thanks for your comments.

Or you could contact Jules @Boston Herald or his blog @ http://www.julescrittenden.com/ and find out what the
specific details of the post are.

the cost for a similar plan is around $550

I live in MA and only pay 150 a month

Do you have a similar plan? Probably not enough information in the story to answer that question. Is your plan subsidized by either the government or an employer? And there are the age and sex and other factors. Just pointing out that there probably isn't enough information to make a comparison between your insurance and the insurance mentioned in the story, but one person comparing similar plans in different states is a valid comparison.

True enough those are good points, but even with those factors $500.00 is still ridiculously high quote for a single person. Maybe for a family plan you'll reach those rates, but not for one person.

If she can't afford a private health insurance company why hasn't she tried Mass health the state run insurance program, it is far cheaper than the private entities. In fact if you make below a certain amount Mass health is free or close to it.

The other issue here is the state budget and taxes. Those are penalties that drive businesses to states that have lower taxes and a more favorable environment for entrepreneurs.

The premiums in Massachusetts are too high, and the much-lauded universal health care system system … even a relatively conservative one pushed by a Republican, Mitt Romney … is a financial train wreck that is dragging down the state budget and driving up my taxes.