I’m no expert on health insurance, but I do know how to count.

My committee held its first briefing today. The subject was Insurance 101.

The Insurance Commissioner, a gubernatorial appointee, was asked whether we could pass a law that would impose certain requirements, with the intent of increasing the number of Marylanders with insurance.

“With 71 votes you can,” he responded with a smile.

That’s the number of votes needed to pass a bill in the House of Delegates.

“But will we need 85?” I whispered to a colleague.

That’s the number of votes needed to override a Governor’s veto.

Our recent history says there won’t be a veto.

Last year we passed a bill to establish a reinsurance program to reduce the cost of premiums.

It was complicated but by the end, uncontroversial.

It passed the House unanimously, 135-0, and the Senate, 43-4.

(The bill has resulted in an average reduction of premiums by 13.2%.)

That bipartisan support did not exist on the seventh day of last year’s session.

That’s why we meet for 90 days.