Government
Kerry proposes bill to cover all kids
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 7, 2005
Sen. John Kerry (D, Mass.) has introduced legislation designed to ensure that all children have access to health care coverage. His bill, part of a large package of health care measures, would give the states the option of providing coverage for all children up to 300% of poverty, with the federal government paying the full cost for children at or below the federal poverty level.
The states also would have to allow children from higher-income families to buy into the coverage at cost. The measure would require that Medicaid reimbursement rates for pediatricians be in line with the generally higher rates paid by Medicare.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/02/07/gvbf0207.htm.