State-Based Health Care Reform Act Introduced

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) have introduced legislation in the Senate that would create a pilot program in several states to reduce health care costs and cover more people that currently do not have insurance. The legislation is called the State-Based Health Care Reform Act.

States involved in the program would have to meet minimum baseline requirements, but would be able to use tools such as health savings accounts, single payer systems, expansions of current programs or new efforts to cover the uninsured. Those approved to take part in the program would have to provide some matching funds, provide some limited financial protections for low-income individuals, meet a baseline of coverage and expand coverage within a five-year period. The states are also expected to lower administrative costs and improve the efficiency of health care spending.

Feingold adds...

With an American-style approach to reform, that gives flexibility to the states and fuels innovation, real health care reform is within reach. I support guaranteed health care coverage for all Americans and this bill moves us toward that goal.

This is a creative solution that eliminates the bickering about big government and aims to provide real solutions to the probelm of 46 million uninsured Americans. It also focuses on the best aspects of federalism - the ability of states to be idea factories and breeding grounds of ingenuity- so that sucessful models can be replicated in other states.