Our inability to organize a universal system for insurance to manage health care for these millions is a bad social and economic policy. The government and labor leaders who came up with this system had planned it to be universal by working on the flaws as they go. The employment-based tax incentive, health insurance would cover all American workers. The taxpayer-financed Medicare and Medicaid programs were made to fill the open areas left at either end for the poor and the elderly. While more families are living below the poverty level, Medicaid enrollment continues to drop.
Fewer workers have health insurance as more people work in smaller, service businesses.
Universal access to health insurance is likely to continue the public-private partnership that has been built over the past 50 years. All employes, regardless of health status, should be guaranteed basic health benefits for themselves and their dependents. For those outside the work force, Medicaid coverage should be made universally available, with appropriate subsidies for the poor. The over 65 population should continue on Medicare benefits, which should be further expanded to eliminate all costs to individuals for catastrophic care. I believe that universal access will result in the redisribution of existing costs.