Senator Murkowski Moves to Reform Nation's Health Care System, Expand Health Inusrance Coverage
SENATOR MURKOWSKI MOVES TO REFORM NATION'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, EXPAND HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
Senator Lisa Murkowski is bringing attention to critical health care reform legislation to ensure Americans accessible and affordable health care. Before Congress left for its August recess, Murkowski helped introduce the Healthy America Act of 2005 (S.4).
The goal of the legislation is to help slow the growth of rising healthcare costs, expand health insurance coverage, and improve access to quality health care for all Americans and their families. Murkowski has partnered with fellow Senators Bill Frist (R-TN), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Michael Enzi (R-WY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Jim DeMint (R-SC) to bring much needed reform to the nation's health care system.
In Alaska alone, 19 percent of the population had no form of health coverage during the past year. A similar situation faces the nation, with tens of millions Americans going without any form of health coverage for months at a time. Those affected are typically hard working, tax-paying citizens who simply cannot afford the rising cost of health care in the United States.
"We recognize this is one way we can help offset these incredibly high numbers," said Murkowski. "It is not just the poorest of the poor. In fact it's those who are working, those who are employed, its families. About 8 out of 10 of the uninsured live in families where the head of the household works. We have to do something to help these Americans."
Not only will these measures help more Americans and their families receive affordable, quality health care, but it will reduce strain on the economy. Uninsured patients often forgo preventive care, waiting until problems worsen to seek aid. This practice results in an estimated $65 to $130 billion spent annually on acute care, money that could be saved if more Americans had insurance to cover the cost of preventive care.
"The Healthy America Act of 2005 addresses the need for health care to be affordable, efficient, and patient-centered," Murkowski said. The act incorporates many of the President's health care reform proposals, as well as recommendations made by the U.S. Senate Republican Task Force on Health Care Costs and the Uninsured during the 108th Congress.
Specifically, the act will address:
·Increasing Access for the Uninsured: Implement tax credits and incentives to allow more Americans affordable health care options.
·Medical Liability Reform: By curbing the amount of unnecessary litigation and capping non-economic damages at $250,000, increases in doctor's insurance premiums can be reduced.
·Patient Safety and Quality Improvement: Through the creation of a voluntary medical error reporting system for health care professionals, medical errors can be studied to prevent future occurrences, promoting a culture of safety and quality.
·Electronic Heath Records: Reduce costs by eliminating the duplication of services and billing by creating a more efficient system through the use of electronic health records.
·Combating Fraud and Abuse in Medicare and Medicaid: Target fraud and abuse in the public health system so more funds are available to provide patients with quality care.
·Long-term Care Insurance: Encourage individuals to plan for future health care needs by making long-term care insurance more affordable and available.
·Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): Encourage individuals to enroll in HSAs to offset medical costs, as well as expand medical expenses eligible for fund use.
·Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Increase the flexibility of FSAs by allowing up to $500 to rollover each year without tax consequence.
·State High-Risk Pools: Provide seed grants to states to create high-risk health insurance pools so individuals typically unable to find or afford coverage can have insurance.
·Community Health Centers: Increase the number of community health centers, which provide services to low-income and medically underserved communities regardless of a patient's ability to pay.
http://murkowski.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=242885