| Committee to Defend Health Care |
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CALIFORNIA had two bills on Universal Health Care pending in 1999-2000
SB 276 "Healthy Californians Act" Had goal of 100% children immunized and all pregnant women entering prenatal care by first trimester. Also established universal health coverage by January 1,2005. Sponsored by Sen. Polanco.
SB 480 of 99-00 Stated goal of original bill "to develop proposed legislation to implement universal health care coverage". However,was converted to a study bill. Required submission of report to Legislature by December 1,2001 on examination of "options for providing universal healthcare coverage". Sponsored by Sen. Hilda Solis.
COLORADO had a study bill and an initiative petition in 1999-2000
HB 1425 "Colorado Complete Care Health Insurance Program" Feasibility and implementation of the Colorado Complete Care Health Insurance Program. Report by December 15,2001 and recommended program to be included for FY2002-3 budget. Died at end of May 2000 session.
Initiative petition filed "An act to promote access to quality health care for all residents of Colorado
In 1999 CONNECTICUTT created a health care trust with universal health care goal
H 7030 CT Health Care Trust created CT Health Care Trust based on the goal of universal health care. Filed March 11,1999,no carryover when adjourned on June 9,99. Sponsored by Committee on Labor
FLORIDA had a proposal on universal health care during the 1997-98 session.
H 577 Florida Universal Health Access Plan Would have created plan "providing a single,publicly financed statewide insurance program to provide comprehensive coverage for all necessary health services for all residents of Florida". Spons Rep. Silver. Was carried over from 1997 and died at endo of 1998 session.
GEORGIA had a proposal for single-payer universal health care proposed first in 1997 and carried over into the 1998 session.
H 386 Georgia Health Care Plan The plan would "provide comprehensive health care coverage for every citizen in Georgia" and achieved this "through creation of a publicly financed,single-payer,sigle budget health insurance system to replace the current mix of public and private payment menthods". Died at end of session March 1998.
HAWAII has had a "universal access" law since 1974
Prepaid Health Care Act of 1974 The plan requires all employers to offer health care coverage. They have a unique ERISA exemption and a Medicaid 1115 waiver that provides flexibility in administering the program. The ERISA exemption was due to the earliness of Hawaii's plan (before ERISA was enacted. Provisions are made for working students according to hours working.
In 1989, a State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) was adopted as "gap" insurance for those persons not eligible for either Medicaid, Medicare or the employer mandate. SHIP is a partnership between government, private insurance and individuals/families. SHIP benefits are heavily weighted toward preventive and primary care, but also assist with catastrophic coverage.
Some impressive outcomes were reflected in 1991 health statistics: lowest infant mortality (tied with Vermont); lowest rates of premature mortality for heart disease(one -third lower than national average), cancer (one -fourth lower), and lung disease (one -half lower); and third lowest emergency room usage (one -third less than national average). And even though Hawaii has one of the highest costs of living in the nation, it has one of the cheapest insurance rates for small businesses. See 1993 Report in New England Journal of Medicine for more details.
ILLINOIS had two bills and a referendum in 1999
HJR CA6 To amend the constitution,guaranteeing the right of all Illinoisans to decent health Care. Sponsored by Mike Boland
H 234 Proposal that 90% of tobacco settlement would go to fund steps toward universal coverage. No action by adjournment in December 1999. Advisory Referendum Referendum on amending the state constitution as stated above. Approved in Cook County Nov.98 and on ballot in Kane Co in 1999.
MASSACHUSSETTS had several bills in 1999-2000,a successful petition drive and referendum scheduled
H 1947 & S 531 Create the Massachussetts Health Care Trust,in order "to guarantee every Massachusetts resident all medically necessary health care services offered by the provider of each resident's choice,to replace the current mixture of public and private health care plans with a uniform and comprehensive health care plan available to every Massachusetts resident.." including a "single administrative and payment mechanism". Sponsored by Rep. Stefanini and Sen. Travaglini. S.531 was combined into a study order,otherwise no further action this session.
Initiative #99-4 Qualified for the November 2000 ballot with goal "to promote access to quality health care for all residents". Petition does not specify structure for financing,but creates health care council to make recommendations.
H5333 Section 32 of this bill establishes a formal Advisory Committee on "feasibility and fiscal implications of establishing a system of consolidated health care,financing and streamlined health care delivery model accessible to every resident of the Commonwealth"
MARYLAND launched campaign for universal health care in 1999. Two bills were in 1998,H 348 & S 313
H 348 & 313 Constitutional amendment declairng "health care is an essential safeguard of quality of life and dignity and that there is an obligation for the state of Maryland to ensure that every citizen is able to realize this fundamental right". "On or before July 1,2000 the general assembly shall by law enact a plan for universal health care coverage that allows everyone in Maryland to obtain decent health care on a regular bnasis". Bills had unfavorable committee reports and no action was taken as of end of 1998 session.
MAINE had two bills in 1999 on universal health care
H 1436 created the "Maine Single-Payor Health care Plan". Proposed funding included tobacco settlement,state taxes and fees,government health and aid programs and public employees health programs. Under the plan enrollees would pay premiums to the plan and choose their own health care providers and the plan would pay their bills. Failed May 24,1999
H 5424 Creation of "Maine Health Care Plan" based on a single-payor system. Failed May 10,1999.
MINNESOTA had two bills in 1999-2000
H 2208 & S 1687 created "Minnesota Universal Health Assurance Program" for purpose of providing a single,publicly financed,statewide program to provide comprehensive coverage for all necessary health care services for residents of Minnesota". Sponsored by Rep Wejcman and Sen. Foley. Carried over to 2000 session
MISSOURI had a bill in senate in 1999.
S 243 Would create "Missouri Universal Health Assurance Program for the purpose of providing comprehensive coverage for all necessary health care services for all residents". Sponsored by Sen. Bland. No action was taken before end of 1999-2000 session.
MONTANA had a bill for single-payor system in 1999.
S 511 Montana Health Security System The creation of the Montana Health Security System for "development of a single payor system to finance health care services predominantly through public funds to provide a uniform set of benefits administered by a single entitiy managed by the state government". Sponsored by Sen Ellington,tabled in committee and died at end of session.
NEW MEXICO had a bill which received no recommendation out of committee by end of 1999 session
SB 431 New Mexico Health Care Act This act would have created program to ensure health care coverage to all New Mexicans through a combination of public and private financing and control of escalating costs". A commission would have been created to oversee implementation and set rates. Sponsored by Sen. Aragon.
In NEW YORK a single payor bill was proposed every year 1997-9.A universal health care plan was proposed on Feb. 18,2000
S 3575 & A 5712 The bills would have "authorized and directed the commissioners of the state Insurance Fund to establish a single payer health care plan" Plan was to include: universal entitlement for residents and establish a separate fund within the state insurance fund in which all monies public and private,relating to the provision of health benefits would be deposited. Sponsored by Rep. Colton and Sen. Stavisky. no action was take by the Senate Committee on Helath nor by the Assembly Committee on Insurance by end of the 1999 session. Similar bills had been proposed in 1997 and 1998.
S 6653 New York Health Plan Would have established the plan to provide universal health coverage for all residents of this State,access to and choice of health care providers,controls on health care costs,development of health care services and public financing. Would have created a board of Governors to administer the plan and have levied the health care premium on employers.
NORTH CAROLINA proposed a universal health care amendment to their constitution during the 1999-00 session.
HB 1396 The Right to Health Care This proposed amendment stated "Health care is an essential safeguard of human life and dignity,and there is an obligation for the State to ensure that every resident is able to realize this fundamental right. No later than May 31,2004,the General Assembly shall provide by law a plan for universal health insurance that permits everyone in the State to obtain decent health care on a regular basis". Sponsored by Rep. Verla Insko. There was a public hearing on the bill and discussion in the House Subcommittee on Health,but no vote was taken. Will be reintroduced for the 2000-01 session.
WASHINGTON'S initiative for universal health care I 725 came up short on signatures 1999-2000,continuing through 2000-01 as I 245.
I 245 The goal of initiative is creation of a financing system to cover all Washington residents,regardless of income,employment,or health status. Residents will be able to choose the appropriate licensed health care professional which patients want for their care: Doctors,Naturopaths,Chiropractors,Nurse Practitioners,Pharmacists etc. (not just those on some insurer's list). Patients and their doctors will decide on the course of care.
VERMONT has had an petition and initiative on-going for 1999-2000
SB 276 Vermont's petition initiative states "all Vermonters should have the right to all medically necessary health care,with free choice of health care professional. We therefore demand that the General Assembly and the Governor enact a system of universal health care without delay. We further demand that an amendment to the state constitution guaranteeing this right be submitted to the voters for approval." The new trust fund created for Vermont's Health Care Plan will be funded from progressive income and payroll taxes in addition to already available federal funds.
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