As a result, they are not inexpensive. But today, let me just comment briefly on some of the core principles underlying the proposal. To increase coverage, health insurance must be more affordable for more Americans. The main reason that Americans are uninsured is because they cannot afford health insurance coverage. Therefore, financial support must be provided to those who otherwise could not afford coverage.
Multifaceted problem requires multifaceted approach.
While affordability is the primary reason people lack health coverage, the uninsured have many faces. Therefore, we need a diverse program designed to attack the underlying reasons that people are uninsured. There is no silver bullet solution to solving the uninsured crisis. A strong, vibrant private health insurance market should remain a cornerstone of our health care system. As we learned during the debate over President Clinton s health plan, expanded coverage must be achieved without threatening the private coverage that the vast majority of Americans have.