Maryland Coalition Releases Proposal For Mandating Universal Health Care Coverage
By 2006, all Maryland residents would be required to carry health insurance from either government-subsidized programs or private insurers under a universal coverage proposal being released Sept.7 by the Maryland Citizens' Health Care Initiative, the Washington Times reports (Hyslop, Washington Times, 9/7). The proposal would attempt to cover the state's 650,000 uninsured residents in two phases. First, the state's CHIP program -- called the Children's Health Program -- would be expanded to include 43,000 children who are currently ineligible for coverage. The state would also create a "buyer's pool" for seniors that would negotiate discounts of up to 35% on prescription drugs. The "biggest change" proposed in the plan would create a new insurance plan for uninsured adults. Called the Maryland Health Care Trust, the program would operate as a "quasi-governmental" not-for-profit agency with a governor-appointed board of directors. Plan participants would pay income-based premiums and $10 copayments for doctor visits. Patients would select a primary care physician, who would make any necessary referrals. In the plan's second phase, any resident not eligible for public health coverage would be required to purchase insurance (Sugg, Baltimore Sun, 9/7). Expanding current programs and creating the new trust would cost the state about $1 billion annually (Washington Times, 9/7). To fund the programs, the proposal calls for raising the state's cigarette tax by 70 cents per pack and the "redirect[ion]" of funds currently used to pay for primary and hospital care for the uninsured. The proposal would also "mandate" that employers who do not offer health insurance contribute 1% of their payroll towards the program (Baltimore Sun, 9/7). Vincent DeMarco, the initiative's director, likened the mandate to Social Security. "When there's a public need, you have to consider required participation," he said (Washington Times, 9/7). The coalition seeks input on the proposal and plans to position the issue as an agenda item for the 2002 state elections and in the General Assembly in 2003 (Baltimore Sun, 9/7). For further information on state health policy in Maryland, visit State Health Facts Online.
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