{news} While the Greens sleep, Dems move in on a Green Platform

[clifford thornton]

Editorial: A matter of timing

A universal plan pushed by state Senate Democrats has a lot going for it, but Republicans are right. The plan is so sweeping in nature it must receive a proper, judicious vetting.
>From the Journal Sentinel

Posted: June 27, 2007

The timing isn't good, but the bold plan for universal health care coverage approved by Senate Democrats is definitely good enough for the Legislature to consider to fix Wisconsin's hopelessly broken health care system.




Health Plan for State Legislators, Officials and Employees




Premiums: Monthly premiums vary, based on such factors as relative efficiency of the plans. Benefits are the same. Most employees choose Tier 1.



Tier 1: $27 single, $68 family.



Tier 2: $60 single, $150 family.



Tier 3: $143 single, $358 family.



Deductibles: No deductibles or co-insurance.



Coverage: Covers one routine eye exam per year but no dental coverage. Covers 30 days inpatient per participant per year for mental health/alcohol/drug abuse services and $1,800 per participant per year in outpatient services.



Prescriptions: Co-pays range from $5 to $15, depending on drugs. 

Source: Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds

Assembly Republicans are steadfastly opposed, arguing this isn't the time or place for a decision this far-reaching, especially at budget time.

The Republicans are right about the timing. The plan represents a major policy change and has all sorts of financial and other implications. It needs to be properly vetted and separated from the often acrimonious and partisan 11th-hour budget deliberations.

But based on the plan's merits and the urgency of the problem, it must not be given short shrift or put into permanent cold storage by Republicans. That would be a huge mistake since, as the Democrats say, the Republicans themselves have yet to come up with their own plan of this scope, with the exception of such things as health savings accounts and greater transparency - sensible ideas, yes, but hardly a real fix.

The Republicans unfairly call the plan "a jobs killer" and say the state and its employers can't afford the estimated $15.2 billion first-year cost. But neither can the state afford having private and public employers vainly trying to stanch the hemorrhaging of dollars for employee health care. It's economically unsustainable and in the long run costs society even more money, especially when those without health insurance avoid medical care or seek it in emergency rooms.

The Senate proposal, borrowing from existing plans, would be paid for with a payroll tax - an average monthly cost of $140 for employees and $370 for employers, all of whom would have to participate, thus spreading the cost of health care.

Democrats say everyone should enjoy the same health care as legislators. They're right, which is why the plan, like the one drafted by Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) and consultant David Riemer, would use the successful state purchasing pool concept to provide quality health care and in turn save everyone money through such things as rewarding the most efficient providers, sharply reducing administrative costs and buying drugs in bulk.

Among other pluses, participants would be able to pick their own doctors and health plans, regardless of pre-existing conditions, and keep the coverage if they lose their job. Annual deductibles would be a modest $300 per adult and $600 per family. There would be no cost-sharing for preventive health services or no co-pays for minors to encourage appropriate medical attention.

The plan's called Healthy Wisconsin. That's appropriate.

>From the June 28, 2007 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

Leon Todd
414-444-9490
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