Senate Republican Task Force
Releases Recommendations to Expand Coverage for the Uninsured
May 14, 2004 - A Senate Republican Task Force on Health
Care Costs and the Uninsured May 11 released recommendations
to "make care more affordable, cover the uninsured and
strengthen the safety net for those who fall through the cracks."
Chaired by Senator Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), the task force met
for six months to better define the problems and their root
causes, review existing proposals, and develop creative new
solutions. The recommendations were based on five principles:
1) address rising costs and enhance access to affordable health
care and insurance; 2) target insurance assistance to those
who need it most; 3) strengthen the safety net of care; 4)
build on what works well; and 5) empower the health care consumer.
According to the released documents, the recommendations
would result in annual savings to our nation's health care
system of $137 billion, insurance coverage for 17-25 million
more Americans, and access to safety net care for 5 million
more uninsured individuals.
The solutions target a variety of populations - uninsured
low income, small business employees, immigrants and minorities,
children, young adults, and pre-retirees. A variety of solutions
would use financial incentives such as tax credits, deductions,
and subsidies. Such solutions build on the Health Savings
Account model and would provide tax credits to the low-income,
regardless of age. Other solutions seek to reform the insurance
market to expand state or regional-based polling options for
individual and groups. The recommendations also would increase
funding for community health centers and improve enrollment
in the Medicaid and SCHIP programs.
The following recommendations are of particular interest
to medical schools and teaching hospitals:
- Forgive federal student loans or defer interest for college
graduates who purchase Health Savings Accounts;
- Provide financial incentives to colleges and universities
that provide, require, or make coverage available to full-time
students;
- Increase access to specialty care within safety net systems
by providing a tax deduction to physician specialists who
provide care for patients referred from safety net providers;
- Increase the number of medical volunteers at Community
Health Centers and integrated health systems by extending
liability coverage; and
- Defer interest payments on student loans for health professionals
who work in nonprofit clinics serving the uninsured.
The recommendations also include a number legislative proposals
to reduce costs of health care, including improving patient
safety and quality, using innovative technology efficiently,
reforming the medical liability, and curtailing waste, fraud
and abuse in federal programs.
Sens. John Cornyn (Texas), Mike Enzi (Wy.), Chuck Grassley
(Iowa), Orrin Hatch (Utah), Jon Kyl (Ariz.), Don Nickles (Okla.),
Jeff Sessions (Ala.), Gordon Smith (Ore,), Olympia Snowe (Maine),
Jim Talent (Mo.), and George Voinovich (Ohio) also served
as members of the task force.
Information:
Lynne Davis Boyle, Assistant Vice President
AAMC Government Relations
ldavisboyle@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
Christiane Mitchell, Senior Legislative Analyst
AAMC Government Relations
cmitchell@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
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