Comment: First and foremost, the criminalization of 'paid' lobbying by anyone!  Legislatures, Governors, Assembly members are all 'elected' to represent the People.  No one other than individual citizens should have any "leash" on a public servant!  This article is about health care but this applies to every aspect of the business/government relationship.

Of course there are a thousand excuses which could be given against such an idea, because; the current corrupt system functions beautifully for those who profit from it.  Open market is what should control costs, not insurance companies or government.  Again, a thousand naysayers and most of them profit from the status quo.  Remember the $5 aspirin in the hospital?
"Insurance company discounting of payments to providers", Why?  So those who have no insurance or are outside of the mafia or Hui pay full price.  A tire store has one price to fix a flat tire.  Automotive service, one price per service.

Corruption and collusion at its finest.