Reforming the U.S. Health Care System
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- I. Universal Coverage
- II. A Health Care Safety Net For The Uninsured
- III. Tax Fairness
- IV. A Rational Role For Employers
- V. Preserving Employer Options, But Rewarding Good Choices
- VI. Incentives To Reduce Waste And Inefficiency
- VII. Options For The Self-Employed
- VIII. Solution To The Special Problems Of The Uninsured
- IX. Health Insurance And Workfare
- X. The Role Of State And Local Governments
- XI. An Alternative To Medicaid
- XII. Funding Reform
IX. Health Insurance And Workfare
A. Making Workfare Work
- For many families, one of the biggest obstacles to getting and staying off welfare is the lack of a private insurance alternative to Medicaid.
- This plan makes it possible for low-income families to buy into an employer health plan or to purchase insurance on their own.
B. Bridging The Gap Between Employer-Provided Insurance In Different Jobs.
- A related problem concerns people who are laid off or are temporarily unemployed while they are between jobs.
- Periods of unemployment are typically periods when family financial resources are very limited.
- The refundable health insurance tax credit can bridge the gap, financing the purchase of short-term insurance or funding COBRA payments that continue coverage under a previous employer's plan.
- Funds in a Roth MSA can also help solve the problem, since such funds can be used to pay premiums during periods of temporary unemployment.
