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January 18, 2007 at 09:54 AM
America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association joined today with 14 other consumer groups and provider groups to unveil a proposal for helping the uninsured.
Representatives for the 16 groups that have joined the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, Washington, say their proposal could provide coverage for more than half of the 47 million U.S. residents who now lack health coverage.
In addition to AHIP, Washington, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Chicago, major member groups include organizations such as AARP, Washington, and Families USA, Washington, as well as the American Medical Association, Chicago, and the American Hospital Association, Chicago.
The first phase of the program, which might cost about $45 billion and last 5 years, would help children, and the second phase would help adults, speakers said.
The first phase would:
- Give states flexibility to expand children’s access to Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program plans.
- Create a “one-stop” shopping program that would help children who already qualify for need-based programs such as free school lunches get free or subsidized health coverage.
- Establish a refundable, advanceable and assignable children’s health insurance tax credit for families making up to 3 times the federal poverty level.
The Health Coverage Coalition estimates these changes could extend coverage to 90% of the 7 million children who now lack health coverage.
