Health insurance access is back on America's agenda

President Bush calls for action in his State of the Union address, while the Institute of Medicine pushes for universal coverage.

By Joel B. Finkelstein, AMNews staff. Feb. 2, 2004.

Washington -- Now more than ever, the problem of the uninsured must be addressed without delay. That is the unified message being delivered by politicians, special interest groups, voters and academics across America.

In his State of the Union speech, President Bush acknowledged this need. "For many people, medical care costs too much -- and many have no coverage at all," he said.

"Our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs," he said.

Bush offered some proposals, including association health plans, health insurance tax credits for low-income Americans and tax reforms to allow purchasers of catastrophic insurance with health savings accounts to deduct their premiums. Bush also urged Congress to pass tort reform to help reduce the frivolous lawsuits blamed for pushing up the price of professional liability insurance.

"The AMA is encouraged by President Bush's attention to the plight of the uninsured," said Donald J. Palmisano, MD, the Association's president. "We applaud the president's conclusion that 'a government-run health care system is the wrong prescription' for America."

But the Democrats' response to Bush's address showed that much disagreement remains about how to cover the uninsured. They argue that more tax cuts will do little for the millions of people who can't afford coverage and advocate instead for expansion of public programs to bring in more low-income Americans.