New Congress May Make it easier for All Americans to Buy Health Insurance

As the democrats have seized control of the congress and Massachusetts State Senator Edward Kennedy takes over as head of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, healthcare advocates expressed a renewed confidence that great strides making it easier for Americans to buy health insurance will occur in 2007. Kennedy, who was instrumental in working with then Governor Mitt Romney in developing Massachusetts's mandatory health insurance plan, would like to see similar programs expanded nationwide.

Advocacy groups are excited about the changes that are already seeing reforms and programs being created by insurance companies and state legislatures alike that are filling in the gaps especially for the millions of children without insurance. However Senator Kennedy and his colleagues would like to see these ideas extend even further, and develop into a nationwide universal plan that would make sure that every American is either given or is made able to buy health insurance.  Republicans who serve on the committee with Kennedy are impressed with the bi-partisan effort and accomplishments that were made in Massachusetts. And while they are encouraged with the strides that have been made to make it easier for individuals to buy health insurance, they would like to see the committee redouble its efforts to help small businesses purchase and provide health insurance for their employees.  Senator Mike Enzi, a Republican from Wyoming says that enacting health insurance reform that helps working families and small businesses acquire health coverage can potential insure millions of Americans. These "small business health plans" would let businesses buy health insurance through regional or national trade organizations or associations. Under the proposed Republican plans this health insurance would not be subject to many of the state mandates that drive up the costs of such plans. That could offer a cheaper health insurance product to small and start-up businesses.

In other insurance and healthcare news, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recovering from recent knee surgery, faces a similar up hill battle as he attempts to gain support for his plan to cover California's currently 6.5 million uninsured residents. Schwarzenegger's plan is very similar to Massachusetts's in that it requires all Californians buy health insurance, subsidizes those too poor to do so, and penalizes those who do not follow the mandate. Under the "Governator's" plan insurance companies could no longer deny coverage to people due to a medical condition, and all children, regardless of their immigration status, will be covered through an expansion of the state and federal governments Insure Kids Now programs (http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/). The Governor says his plan will save the State 10 Billion dollars by reapportioning funds already in the healthcare system. Experts applaud his efforts and say that this plan actually "on-up's" Massachusetts's plan which was the first State to make it necessary for all residents to carry health insurance, because Arnold's plan requires that doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies help those who cannot pay, buy health insurance.