US Universal Health Care Resources in United States
US Universal Health Care Resources
Fueled by the increasing number of uninsured Americans, the declining number of employers offering insurance to their employees, the improved fiscal conditions in the states and the lack of federal action, states are leading the way in health care reform. States are using market-based initiatives, Medicaid and SCHIP expansions, and public-private partnership to increase access and affordability of insurance.
Massachusetts and Vermont passed laws in 2006 to achieve universal (or nearly universal) coverage as well as addressing cost and quality. Covering all uninsured kids is the goal of many states. Other states adopted more incremental reforms to focus on the eight in 10 uninsured Americans in working families–many of whom work for small businesses that cannot afford coverage. States are targeting coverage for young adults–the fastest growing segment of the uninsured population.
Health reform will remain a priority this year. Several states have commissions charged with creating recommendations for expanding coverage and reforming health care. Political leadership in other states are poised to act in 2008
Health Reform Bills 2007-2008
| State | Bill |
| CA | A.B. 8 A merged Senate and House bill. These bill would include an employer assessment of 7.5% of their payrolls to workers’ health coverage. The proposal excludes a requirement that all state residents obtain health care insurance. The legislature passed AB 8 on September 10 and sent it to the Governor, who has indicated that he will veto the bill. The Governor has now called a special legislative session to finalize details of reform with the Democratic leadership.On November 6, legislative leaders announced plans to introduce ABx1, a compromise between AB8 and the Governor’s proposal. Failed in SenateS.B. 840 Would establish the California Universal Healthcare System to be administered by the newly created California Universal Healthcare Agency under the control of a Universal Healthcare Commissioner appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate. Passed Senate, In Assembly |
| DE | S.B. 177 Would provide all current and future Delaware citizens and with our economy a non-government run program and cost effective single payer health care system. Senate Finance Committee (1/8/08) |
| HI | H.B. 759 (S.B. 1061) Would establish an agency to operate a single-payer universal health care system Referred to Committee (1/22/07)-carry-overH.B. 56 Would establish the Hawaii Health Commission to develop a plan for health care for all individuals in the State.Referred to House Committee on Health, Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, and the House Committee on Finance (3/23/07)-carry-overS.B. 2101 Would establish the state health authority to propose a plan to provide medical assistance for all citizens of Hawaii; relates to state health authority. Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and Affordable Housing Committee (2/4/08)
H.B. 1598 Would establish an agency to operate a single-payer universal healthcare insurance system. House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee (2/8/08) |
| IA | S.B. 3140 Relates to health care reform in Iowa including the Iowa health care coverage exchange; concerns medical homes; concerns prevention and chronic care management, the Iowa Health Information Technology System, health care quality, consumer information, strategic planning and resource development, and the certificate of need program. Senate Human Resources Committee (2/05/08) |
| IL | S.B. 5 Would create the Illinois Health Care For All Act. Senate Floor Amendment No. 5 Re-referred toRules (12/3/07) For information on Illinois Covered, click hereH.B. 311 Would create the Health Care for All Illinois Act. Provides that all individuals residing in this State are covered under the Illinois Health Services Program for health insurance. Provides the specific health coverage benefits that participants are entitled to under the Program. Sets forth the requirements for the qualifications of participating health providers. Health Care Availability and Access Committee Hearing Feb 20 2008 |
| KS | H.B. 2591 Would create the Kansas Medicaid reform act of 2007. The Kansas health policy authority shall request the federal centers for Medicare and Medicaid to appoint a special representative to work with the health policy authority to expedite, coordinate and implement the changes to the medicaid program in Kansas and to request additional funds.Referred to appropriations (3/22/07), No Action- carry-overS.B. 540 Would establishes a voluntary health insurance clearinghouse; authorizes policies for young adults; defines very small employers; enacts the Kansas Small Business Health Policy Committee Act. Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee (2/06/08)S.B. 541 Concerns the Kansas Health Policy Authority; relates to powers and duties thereof regarding a medical home, and small business wellness grant program; establishes the health reform fund. Senate Health Care Strategies Committee (2/6/08) |
| MD | H.B. 1125 Would establish the Maryland Universal Health Care Plan; specifies the purposes of the Plan; establishes the State Board of Governors of the Maryland Universal Health Care Plan; specifies the membership of the Board of Governors, and their terms, duties, and powers; authorizes the Governors to adopt specified regulations. House Health and Government Operations Committee (2/07/08) |
| MN | S.B. 14- Would create a Constitutional Amendment, which would provided for a universal health system that provides affordable access to medical care for all residents. Referred to Rule and Administration Committees (5/21/07) – carry-overS.B. 383- Would establish a working group to design a universal health care system. Referred to Health, Housing and Family Security (1/29/07)- carry-overS.B. 460- Would establish the Minnesota Universal Health Board and health care trust fund. Referred to Health, Housing and Family Security (2/1/07) – carry-over
S.B. 1963 (Companion MedicaidH.B. 1873)- Would establish a health care transformation task force; modifying goals for universal coverage. – Referred to Health, Housing and Family Security – carry-over H.B. 479 (Companion S.B. 102)- Would provide for a universal health care system that provides affordable access to high quality medical care. Requires a focus on preventive care and early interventions. Referred by Chair to Health Care and Human Services Finance Division (3/27/07) – carry-over H.B. 1856 – Would establish universal health coverage, health care access portal established, dependent coverage extended, tax credits provided, prevention programs established, and money appropriated. Referred to Health and Human Services (3/8/07) – carry-over |
| MO | H.B. 1558 Would establish the Missouri Universal Health Insurance Act to provide comprehensive health care services for Missouri residents. PendingS.B. 1101 This act would establish the Missouri Universal Health Assurance Program. The program is a publicly financed, statewide program that will provide comprehensive health care services for Missouri residents. The Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services is required to divide the population of the state into six regional health planning and policy development districts. An advisory council of 9 members will be established for each district. The advisory councils will assist the board of governors of the program in creating an annual comprehensive state health care plan as well as developing a transportation plan for indigent, elderly, and disabled clients. Second Read and Referred Senate Health and Mental Health Committee (2/14/08) |
| NM | H.B. 147 Relates to health care reform; enacts the Health Care Authority Act; creates the Health Care Authority; provides for powers and duties; repeals and enacts sections of the NMSA 1978; makes an appropriation. Committee on Public Affairs (02/08/08)H.B. 588 Relates to health care reform; enacts the access to quality universal health insurance act; amends and enacts certain sections of the New Mexico insurance code; provides for universal health insurance coverage for New Mexicans; mandates guaranteed issue and renewability of insurance coverage; requires New Mexico residents with household incomes above four hundred percent of the federal poverty level to show proof of health coverage. House Judiciary Committee (2/05/08)S.B. 225 Relates to health care reform; enacts the health care authority act; creates the health care authority; provides for powers and duties; makes an appropriation. Passed Senate (2/11/08)
S.B. 377 Would enact the Access to Quality Universal Health Insurance Act; concerns the Insurance Code; provides for universal health insurance coverage for State residents; mandates guaranteed issue and renewability of insurance coverage; requires residents with incomes above 400% of the federal poverty level to show proof of health coverage; provides premium assistance. Committee on Public Affairs (01/29/08) |
| NC | H.B. 901 An act to amend the North Carolina constitution to recognize the right to health care. Referred to Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (3/20/07) carry-over |
| NY | A.B. 7354 Would enact the New York State Health Plan, a comprehensive system of access to health insurance for New York state residents: provides for administrative structure of the plan, including its status as a public benefit corporation; provides for powers and duties of the governing board, the scope of benefits, payment mechanisms and cost controls; establishes the New York Health Trust Fund which would hold monies from a variety of sources. Health Committee (2/9/08) |
| OH | H.B. 456 Would create the I-Ohio Reinsurance Program, a nonprofit entity that is funded through assessments on participating insurers.H.B. 186 (S.B. 168) Would establish and operate the Ohio Health Care Plan to provide universal health care coverage to all Ohio residents. |
| RI | S.B. 2220 Would provide health insurance coverage to U.S. permanent resident children and parents. This act would also provide benefits to children ineligible for federal medical assistance due to citizenship or alienage requirements. House Committee on Finance (2/06/08) |