Government
Biden health reforms would expand federal programs
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 12, 2007
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden (D, Del.) last month unveiled a plan to reduce the number of uninsured people by expanding federal health programs, offering a national insurance plan for catastrophic illnesses, and boosting funding and coverage for preventive care.
Biden would improve access to health insurance by expanding eligibility for the State Children's Health Insurance Program to 300% of the federal poverty level, by allowing those 55 and older to enroll in Medicare and by letting the public buy coverage in SCHIP or federal employee health plans with sliding-scale premiums.
He also would require uniform billing and claim systems, and establish a panel to compare the effectiveness of medical devices, technology, treatment protocols and the management of chronic diseases.
Biden's CARE plan can be accessed on his Web site (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/11/12/gvbf1112.htm.