Group Urges Medicare to Use 'Medical Home'

The Health Coverage Coalition includes 16 organizations that historically have parted ways on health insurance. AARP, AAFP, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Public Health Association, America's Health Insurance Plans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Catholic Health Association, Families USA, Federation of American Hospitals, Healthcare Leadership Council, Johnson & Johnson, Kaiser Permanente, Pfizer, United Health Foundation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

About 47 million Americans, including 8–9 million children, are uninsured. The coalition has proposed expanding Medicaid to cover all adults with incomes below the poverty level, and offering tax credits for those with incomes between 100% and 300% of the poverty level.

The ACP has recommended that low-income Americans be given subsidies to buy insurance coverage through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.

In his State of the Union address, President Bush proposed tax breaks to help cover the uninsured, and more federal aid to states that are seeking to cover the uninsured. He also called for expansion of health savings accounts, allowing health insurance to be purchased across state lines, and medical liability reform.

Congress has already started to move. Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) and Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) introduced a bill to provide states with grants to creatively cover the uninsured. Companion legislation was introduced in the House. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced a bill seeking to guarantee coverage for all Americans.

“We need more action and less debate,” said Dr. Reed Tuckson, senior vice president of the United Health Foundation, speaking at the Health Coverage Coalition briefing.