Health Insurance
- Sebelius urges insurance funding for kids (09-08-07)
- Check your insurance's health (08-29-07)
- Bush says he'll veto child health funding (08-09-07)
- Senate votes to expand kids' health insurance (08-03-07)
- Number of uninsured Americans rises 6 percent from 2005 to 2006 (06-26-07)
- Report finds need of $335 million for uninsured kids (06-01-07)
Topeka — With the number of uninsured Kansans increasing, state government leaders say expansion of health insurance will be one of the top issues of the upcoming legislative session.
Kansas Health Policy Authority has conducted meetings across the state to get input on reform options to present to the Legislature and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in November.
"Having this conversation around Kansas makes sense," Sebelius said. "I'm encouraged by what I'm hearing."
There are 47 million Americans without coverage, up from 45 million the year before, according to the Census Bureau. The number of Kansans without insurance has increased from 10 percent to 11 percent.
In approaching the issue in Kansas, proposals have been floated from privatizing current government programs to putting government in charge of most health coverage.
Sebelius, in comments Friday, seemed to indicate she was seeking a middle-of-the-road approach, saying more government assistance was needed for those in poverty while the private insurance market may be the answer for other groups.
In recent remarks to Republicans, House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, spoke against what he described as the socialized medicine plan in Massachusetts. And Rep. Peggy Mast, R-Emporia, said Sebelius wanted to install a Massachusetts-type plan and "sell it as 'for the children.'"
Neufeld also said the inability to enroll some in low-cost or free health insurance shows that "sometimes government programs don't have any value to our citizens."
Sebelius, a Democrat, and Neufeld have often clashed on health insurance, but Sebelius pointed to compromise health legislation earlier this year and said more may come in 2008. One of those compromises was approval of a plan, which hasn't been implemented yet, that will provide funds to low-income Kansas families to purchase private health insurance.
"There is renewed enthusiasm for children's insurance," Sebelius said of her proposal to provide coverage to all children up to age 5.
Furthermore, she added, "The notion that we need some help for small-business owners, probably not in the single market, but in group coverage, is making sense."
Sebelius also has said an increase in the state cigarette tax may be part of a funding strategy for expanded health care, but Republican leaders have generally opposed the idea.
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
KS (anonymous) says…
If the parents have a cell phone, they don't qualify.
belle (anonymous) says…
I understand that something needs to be remedied as far as healthcare in the US. However, I don't think it's fair for me to pay high rates for coverage and services, but then to spend more in taxes for others. Maybe I'll just quit my job and try to get government assistance...other people will fund my life.
maldensenior (anonymous) says…
I live in Massachusetts and am an advocate on Health Issues at our State House. If you follow our State web site www.ma.gov you will be able to get the first in nation attempt at state "Universal Health Care" bill. We still have many uninsured and a lot of "unaffordable" insurance policys benefiting only the Insurance companies and their bottom line. Health Care for All is the duty and major responsabity of the Federal government. All States should get on board to correct the flawed system
maldensenior (anonymous) says…
Added comment Massachusetts has a plan for secondary coverage for low income and moderate income peope up to 60,000 dollars income to protect as supplement coverage for Seniors 65 and disabled on the flawed Medicare part D. Look into our Precription Advantage Plan for a guide to affordable pharmacuticals
purplesage (anonymous) says…
With Sen. Clinton threatening to actually win the nomination (and short of a miraculous turn of events in Iraq) the presidency, it is imperative that something be done about healthcare NOW. We certainly don't want her kind of plan.
It has to begin with cost control. That includes profits, advertising dollars spent, the proportionately high salaries paid to workers in the field and responsible utilization of services by individuals. It also needs to include reform on malpractice insurance and the search for adjudicated money.
The whole thing is broken and it is goings to quit altogether one of these days.