IOM Issues Guiding Principles
for Coverage Expansion Proposals
January 23, 2004 - The Institute of Medicine (IOM)
Jan. 14 released the results of a three-year study on the
uninsured. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the
report contains guiding principles that the IOM urges policy
makers to use "in assessing coverage proposals and their
implicit tradeoffs."
The report, "Insuring
America's Health: Principles and Recommendations,"
argues that healthcare coverage should be universal and continuous.
It adds that coverage should promote access to high-quality,
safe, efficient, and equitable healthcare. The principles
also state that health insurance should be affordable to individuals,
families, and society as a whole, and that "any major
reform proposal will need mechanisms to control inflation
and encourage use of efficacious, cost-effective services."
Using the guiding principles, the IOM assessed several current
proposals to expand health insurance coverage. Among the most
effective strategies identified are major program expansions/mergers,
new tax credits, employer mandates (with subsidies for employers
of low-wage individuals), and mandates on individuals to obtain
coverage. The IOM concludes its assessment by charging the
federal government with taking action "to achieve universal
health insurance" and "establish an explicit schedule
to reach this goal" by 2010.
Information:
Christiane Mitchell, Senior Legislative Analyst
AAMC Government Relations
cmitchell@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
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