Government
Wal-Mart, SEIU join to support health system reform
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 26, 2007
Yet another player has emerged in the universal health care debate.
A partnership, which includes the Service Employees International Union and Wal-Mart, endorsed a dozen principles to guide system reforms, including a stronger government role in ensuring affordable, quality health coverage for all, plus purchasing pools, electronic medical records, and more personal health responsibility. Other members include AT&T, Intel and the Communications Workers of America.
The announcement followed the release of a plan by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, a 16-member organization of health care stakeholders, including the American Medical Association. On Jan. 19 the coalition proposed covering at least half of the 46.6 million uninsured by expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid, and by giving tax credits to low-income families and individuals to help buy private insurance. The SEIU was originally a coalition member but dropped out before the group's plan was finished.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/02/26/gvbf0226.htm.
