Sen. Kennedy Seeks Universal Health Plan
By Kevin Freking
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The federal government should join the state of Massachusetts in enacting universal health coverage (UHC), said Sen. Edward Kennedy, the new chairman of the Senate committee with jurisdiction over numerous health issues.
Kennedy's home state is the first to require everyone to have health insurance, just as drivers must have automobile coverage.
Kennedy has his own version of what universal health coverage would look like. He wants to extend Medicare to all. In his first hearing Wednesday as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, the Massachusetts Democrat called on 10 witnesses from all over the country to talk about how to make health care more affordable. Read more here.
Once upon a time I was adamantly against UHC. I no longer hold that position because, in ministry, I am confronted on a regular basis with poor people who do not have health insurance. Now I just have more questions than answers. Any answers out there?
I don't understand something about that - the poor could and can ALWAYS go to county hospitals and clinics. There is already municipally-funded charity treatment.
ReplyDeleteNo, they don't have the freedom of choice that an insurance plan offers, even an HMO, but they have treatment.
Since I automatically suspect anything SenKenn says, and I grin at the idea of the Democrats saying "let's have a smaller government" and then expanding government's role in people's lives even MORE, I don't know what to think.
KB,
ReplyDeleteDitto here is therese z.
God Bless
Doug