By Elisa Ung
The Philadelphia Inquirer
January 28, 2007
Under preliminary proposals, all New Jersey residents would be required to have health insurance – and could enroll in plans subsidized by the state.
Depending on federal dollars, (State Sen. Joseph) Vitale said he hoped to begin with an expansion of the state’s FamilyCare program, which insures nearly 700,000 low-income children and families.
Later in the year, separate legislation would be aimed at insuring around 600,000 residents who cannot afford private insurance but make too much to qualify for FamilyCare or Medicaid, he said.
… “we’re trying to come out with what we will call a universal system,” said (New Jersey Governor John) Corzine.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/new_jersey/16561176.htm
Comment:
By Don McCanne, MD
Quick! Which was the first state to enact a universal system?
Those of you who have been working on health care reform for many years likely came up with Hawaii. Yet you don’t hear much anymore about Hawaii’s universal system. Why is that?
Soon after the enactment of Hawaii’s health insurance law in 1974, those lacking insurance dropped to 2 percent. Now it’s about 10 percent. Enough said.
Media coverage of reform efforts tout those states that have already enacted universal systems, and discuss those that are in the process of doing so. It is unfortunate that these fictional stories of universality are appearing in news articles when they should be on the opinion pages as we-wish-it-were-true columns.
Gov. Corzine does seem to understand. They will duplicate the minimalist efforts of other states, and then use the fictional but politically-expedient label of “universal system.” But whom are they trying to please?
Let’s dump the semantic games. Let’s get on with adopting policies that would automatically provide comprehensive coverage for everyone. We really do know how to do it.