Doctor-backed bill seeks to help uninsured

A senator proposes a plan that would expand Medicaid, provide low-income tax credits and create statewide purchasing pools.

By Joel B. Finkelstein, AMNews staff. May 26, 2003.

Washington -- A comprehensive bill to help uninsured Americans get health coverage combines popular proposals and builds on existing programs, say the bill's proponents.

The Health Coverage, Affordability, Responsibility and Equity Act was introduced May 8 by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D, N.M.). It incorporates principles and language laid out by the American College of Physicians in a proposal to have all Americans covered within seven years.

"By emphasizing incentives, consumer choice, help to small businesses and markets, the Bingaman proposal differs in philosophy and approach from ... other proposals that relied principally on mandates to bring about change," according to a statement from the college.

The bill, also known as the HealthCARE Act, is supported by physician and consumer organizations, such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and Families USA.

The American Medical Association, which has emphasized the need to help the uninsured as part of the Cover the Uninsured coalition, has not signed on to the bill. But it praised Bingaman for shining "a spotlight on this important issue."

"The AMA is pleased that the HealthCARE Act expands tax credit options for the purchase of health insurance," said AMA President Yank D. Coble Jr., MD. "Individual tax credits put patients in control of health care decisions by allowing them to make important health care choices."