Liberal Group Taps Into Enthusiasm For Universal Coverage But Offers More Fiscally Moderate Blueprint
The Center for American Progress' "Medicare Extra For All" plan would maintain a role for employers and insurers, and use Medicare's thrifty payment system as framework to pool working-age people, low-income people now covered by Medicaid and seniors.
The Associated Press:
Liberal Group Proposing Plan For Health Coverage For All
A major liberal policy group is raising the ante on the health care debate with a new plan that builds on Medicare to guarantee coverage for all. Called "Medicare Extra for All," the proposal to be released Thursday by the Center for American Progress gives politically energized Democrats more options to achieve a long-sought goal. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 2/22)
In other insurance news —
The Washington Post:
Maryland Ponders Ways To Stabilize Health Insurance Markets
To help steady its struggling health care exchange, Maryland is considering steps some other states have taken to stabilize insurance markets: revive a sort of insurance for insurers. State lawmakers held hearings on a variety of health care proposals on Wednesday, including one that calls for what’s known as reinsurance, which protects insurers against very high claims. Sen. Thomas Middleton, a Democrat who is sponsoring the bill, said his measure would create a Band-Aid to secure the individual market this year to keep rates down and lay the groundwork for a long-time solution. (Witte, 2/21)
Politico Pro:
Anti-Obamacare Governor Makes Propping Up Law Part Of Reelection Bid
One of the most militantly anti-Obamacare governors, Wisconsin’s Scott Walker, is making strengthening the health care law a key plank of his reelection platform as Republicans fret over potential losses in November. ... It’s a startling turnabout for a chief executive who has repeatedly called for repealing and replacing the health law. (Pradhan, 2/21)
