The state House approved a new state-subsidized health insurance plan that would cover about 273,000 uninsured adults within five years.  The plan was fiercely opposed by many Republicans, who called it socialism.  Democrats have a 102-98 majority in the House. The bill now goes to the state Senate, where Republicans have a 29-21 majority.  The new plan would enable people earning less than $32,000 for a family of four to obtain free health insurance. People earning up to $42,000 would pay $40 to $50 per month, and people who earn up to $63,000 could buy coverage at the state’s cost.  Subsidized coverage also would be available to small businesses whose workers earn no more than the state average of about $42,000.  

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In 2003, about 45 million Americans were uninsured at some point and millions more lacked access to care, even if they had public or private health insurance. The health care safety net is health care professionals who are willing to provide care to the uninsured and underserved form a loosely knit, frayed, and often torn group. It is consists of a combination of people and institutions that includes hospital emergency departments, public hospitals, community health centers, free clinics, and private physicians’ offices, among others. Its financing is equally varied and reflects a range of funding sources, such as federal, state, and local expenditures through Medicaid, including the disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program; federal community health center grants; and philanthropic contributions.

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