09/22/2026
Public Option Plans: What’s at Stake for Consumers and Advisors
September 10, 2026
In this episode of The Benefits Brief, host David Saltzman sits down with Meagan Fearing, Owner of IME, Inc., chair of NABIP’s State Public Option Working Group, and Region 7 vice president, to discuss the growing debate around government-sponsored health plans and what public option proposals could mean for consumers, employers, and the private insurance market. Drawing on her experience in Colorado, Meagan explores NABIP’s concerns around consumer choice, provider reimbursement, market competition, network access, and employer-sponsored coverage, while sharing lessons from states where public option programs are already underway. She also highlights the work NABIP is doing to monitor emerging proposals and equip state chapters and benefits professionals with resources to engage policymakers and advocate for the consumers they serve.
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Public Option Plans