Presidential Candidate Dodd Proposes Universal Health Coverage Plan That Would Be Funded Through Greater Efficiencies In Current Health Care System

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 31 Jul 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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Presidential candidate Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) on Thursday released a universal health insurance proposal that would provide all U.S. residents the same level of coverage as federal employees receive, the AP/Los Angeles Times reports. The proposal, which would take four years to implement, would establish a number of health plans for companies and individuals. Both companies and individuals would contribute to premiums for the health plans, with the amount based on their ability to pay.

According to Dodd, the proposal would provide portable health insurance and include incentives for wellness programs that could reduce premiums. In background documents, Dodd said that he would fund the proposal through improvements in the efficiency of the health care system, such as a move to electronic health records and increased use of other technologies. "Other revenue streams, such as those that would result from ending the war in Iraq, will be identified for transition costs," according to the documents. Dodd did not estimate the cost of the proposal (AP/Los Angeles Times, 7/27).

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