Columbus Business First recently published an article discussing the "thorny issue" of the uninsured in Ohio. With all the misinformation out there on the uninsured, this could have been a good article that actually delves behind the myths that make up the common perception on the "uninsured." Unfortunately, this article only reinforces these myths, being long on anecdote and short on facts. It begins by stating that 1.3 million Ohioans are without insurance and then presents perspectives from a handful of people who generally propose more government interference in the market.

To begin with, it's unfortunate that the author didn't read my article on who really make up Ohio's uninsured. Talking about the uninsured and leaving the impression that it's made up solely of people who want insurance but can't afford it is shoddy journalism. As numerous studies show, the uninsured are a diverse group who are made up of people who only lack insurance for a short period of time (such as being between jobs), those who can afford it but choose not to buy it, and those who are eligible for government programs but don't sign up.

Another problem is statements by advocates in the story that go unchallenged. For instance: "[an insurance broker] said a state-run program that mandates health coverage for Massachusetts residents has been successful enough that other states may try to emulate parts of it." Maybe he's had a chance to read the Wall Street Journal piece this week and change his mind.

Or there's this gem by Cathy Levine, a proponent of more government-run health care: "Part of the reason for that, she said, is growing recognition by business and government leaders that a lack of affordable health-care coverage in Ohio is dragging down the state's economy." As the Tax Foundation and others have shown, it's the state's business-killing tax structure that are hurting the state, not health care costs.

There is a desperate need for good reporting on the health insurance problems in our nation. The piece in Columbus Business First missed a great opportunity.