Universal Coverage Hits House
Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) introduced new legislation, the AmeriCare Health Care Act (pdf). The program would provide universal coverage modeled from Medicare and employer-sponsored programs.
The program, in practice, would be an extension of Medicare. Benefits would be broadened to include prescription, pregnancy, pediatric, family planning, and mental health coverage. The proposed program would cap out-of-pocket costs. Individuals with income below 300 percent of the poverty level would be eligible for subsidies.
The program will be paid for by state government, employers, and individuals. Estimated cost of AmeriCare for the federal government is $154.5 billion and a potential $60.7 billion reduction in healthcare spending, according to a private healthcare foundation, The Commonwealth Fund.
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April 4, 2007 Related topics: Legal & legislative