Access to Care
MNA supports the concept of insurance coverage for all individuals. Extending health insurance coverage to every citizen of the United States will evolve the American health care system in ways never seen before. As a fundamental part of that system, nurses must be vigilant in speaking our concerns, supporting our issues, and adding our one strong voice to the decision making. Use the information on this webpage to become more knowledgeable about access to care.
Understanding the Difference Between Universal Health Care and Single Payer Insurance
In its simplest form, “universal health care” means the establishment of a system where every individual in the United States would have health coverage. “Single payer insurance” refers to the establishment of one party holding the responsibility for paying all health care claims rather than our current system of multiple insurance companies and federal/state governments.
Facts and Figures
As of April 2007, there were approximately 45 million uninsured Americans and 9 million uninsured children nationally. 160,000 of that 9 million are Michigan children. An interesting analysis released in April 2007 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation pointed out that “more than half of the uninsured children in Michigan (57 per cent) live with adults who earn modest incomes, calculated at less than $40,000 or less for a family of four.” 61 per cent of these children are under age five. The report also showed a nine percent drop since 1997 in employers who offered health insurance for parents earning less than $40,000 a year. In Michigan, out of a total population of 10,120,860 people, 11.4% do not have health insurance coverage. 6.3% of Michigan's children are uninsured.
Source: Cover the Uninsured
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Michigan Program (pending)
Michigan First Health Care Partnership
Will expand access to quality, affordable health insurance to everyone in Michigan.
Michigan Legislation (pending)
MI-HEART (SB 278)
Establishes a universal health insurance-type system
Michigan Health Insurance System (HB 4202)
Creates a “single payer” government health insurance system.
Federal Legislation (pending)
National Health Insurance Act (HB 676) (or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act)
Would provide comprehensive health insurance coverage for all residents of the United States.
Universal Health Care Choice and Access Act
(S 1019)
Would provide comprehensive reform of the health care system of the United States.
AmeriCare Health Care Act (HR 1841)
Amends the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for an AmeriCare (a program modeled after Medicare) that assures the provision of health insurance coverage to all residents of the United States.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2007 (S 1224)
Amends Title XXI of the Social Security Act to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
NOTE: There are numerous bills that involve health care modifications. The bills mentioned above, however, are the most expansive.
What is SCHIP?
SCHIP (pronounced S-CHIP) is the federal State Children’s Health Insurance Program which provides health insurance to children whose parents do not meet the Medicare requirements but either cannot afford to purchase health insurance or are not offered benefits through their workplace. In Michigan, SCHIP funds MIChild, which allows families to pay $10 a month per child for coverage (family of four earning $40,000 or less). Currently, legislation is being considered to reauthorize SCHIP funding, which runs out on September 30, 2007.
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