States take health care problem in own hands

After 2 state sucesses - Maine has 8,000 people enrolled in a statewide program begun two years ago to help cover the uninsured - and Illinois in October approved a plan that starts July 1, 2006, to offer low-cost health insurance to all the state's children - 19 states push plans for health insurance - for example:

California. SB 840 would create the California Health Insurance System, a government-run and financed health care program for all residents. Status: passed by the assembly; will be heard next year in Senate committees. AB 772 would expand state-subsidized health insurance to children up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Status: passed; vetoed by the governor. <snip> Illinois. HB 806 would extend lower-cost insurance to all state children, regardless of income. Status: passed.<snip> Massachusetts. Three bills have been filed: two would establish a requirement that individuals buy health insurance and create two programs to choose from. The third bill is similar, but also would require that employers offer insurance or pay into a fund.A plan initiated by Gov. Mitt Romney would require all individuals to buy insurance and would establish two different programs through which they could purchase coverage. A House version of the bill passed Thursday, with a provision that employers provide health coverage or pay a payroll tax. A Senate version, without the tax, has been filed and is likely to be debated in the next few weeks. <snip> Vermont. HB 524 would establish a goal of universal access to health care services through a publicly financed system. Status: passed by Legislature; vetoed by governor in June. Rhode Island. HB 6111 would extend the reporting date of the special house commission to study a single-payer plan until Sept. 1, 2006. Status: passed the House.<snip>




http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2005-11-08-health-states-usat_x.htm

States take health care problem in own hands
By Julie Appleby, USA TODAY

Rising health care costs and increased concern among the middle class about paying for medical care have prompted a growing number of states to consider ways to extend health insurance to everyone.
Lawmakers in at least 19 states have considered proposals to expand health coverage this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. That's up from 12 in 2003.

Lawmakers in at least 19 states have considered proposals to expand health coverage this year. That's up from 12 in 2003.

<snip>In Congress, Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., says he will introduce a bill today that would create a nationwide insurance program similar to one that now covers federal workers. But policy experts don't expect Washington to pass major health reforms soon. New programs are more likely to come from the states.
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State proposals vary widely. Some propose government-overseen insurance. Others would require either employers or individuals or both to buy insurance. Some simply would create commissions to study ways to cover all residents.<snip>

Many of us think we need a Comprehensive National Health Care Plan like every other industrialized country has. However, to get it we seem to need to get visibility state by state. To help facilitate the sharing of information and discussion for health care funding, I started www.HCTalk.com . Somehow we have to get better at learning what is happening in other states to make headway.