Health care coverage for the uninsured is emerging as a key political issue in 2007, at both the state and national levels. On Jan. 18, a groundbreaking alliance of health care stakeholders, including the AAFP, announced a proposal that would extend health care coverage to America's nearly 47 million residents without health insurance.
AAFP News Now Audio Story
Coalition Tackles Question of How to Cover Uninsured
By News Staff
2/6/2007
Americans "see the health and well-being of children as being the health and well-being of our future," AAFP President Rick Kellerman, M.D., tells reporters regarding the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured's decision to work on getting coverage for children first.
Listen to an audio news story about the plan advocated by this groundbreaking coalition, which includes the AAFP. (MP3 File: 11:59 Minutes. More information on downloading files.)
The Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU, advocates a combination of public programs and tax incentives to achieve the coverage. HCCU rolled out the plan at a news conference in Washington, D.C.
Focusing initially on children from low-income families and secondly on uninsured adults, HCCU estimates that the plan, if fully implemented, would cover more than half of the nation's uninsured residents.
Want to Hear the Complete HCCU News Conference?
Listen to the entire news conference, held at the National Press Club, to announce the proposal fielded by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU. In addition to the Academy -- the only medical specialty association in the group -- HCCU members include the AMA, Families USA, America's Health Insurance Plans, American Hospital Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and United Health Foundation, as well as nine other organizations. Coalition members met for more than two years to hammer out the consensus plan.
"HCCU Press Conference" -- Segment 1 of 5 -- Listen to the announcement of a proposal fielded by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU, which includes the AAFP. Here, coalition representatives describe the proposal and the process used to achieve consensus. (MP3 File: 15:09 Minutes. More information on downloading files.)
"HCCU Press Conference" -- Segment 2 of 5 -- Listen to the announcement of a proposal fielded by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU, which includes the AAFP. Here, coalition representatives talk about the impact of lack of insurance, the coalitions' proposal and the need for action now. (MP3 File: 10:59 Minutes. More information on downloading files.)
"HCCU Press Conference" -- Segment 3 of 5 -- Listen to the announcement of a proposal fielded by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU, which includes the AAFP. Coalition representatives, including AAFP President Rick Kellerman, M.D., answer questions about the proposal, how it will benefit patients and the consensus process. (MP3 File: 9 Minutes. More information on downloading files.)
"HCCU Press Conference" -- Segment 4 of 5 -- Listen to the announcement of a proposal fielded by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU, which includes the AAFP. Coalition representatives answer reporters' questions about the proposal. (MP3 File: 13:17 Minutes. More information on downloading files.)
"HCCU Press Conference" -- Segment 5 of 5 -- Listen to the announcement of a proposal fielded by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU, which includes the AAFP. Coalition representatives answer more reporter questions about the proposal. (MP3 File: 17:37 Minutes. More information on downloading files.)
"HCCU Press Conference" -- Segment 1 of 5 -- Listen to the announcement of a proposal fielded by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU, which includes the AAFP. Here, coalition representatives describe the proposal and the process used to achieve consensus. (MP3 File: 15:09 Minutes. More information on downloading files.)
"HCCU Press Conference" -- Segment 2 of 5 -- Listen to the announcement of a proposal fielded by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU, which includes the AAFP. Here, coalition representatives talk about the impact of lack of insurance, the coalitions' proposal and the need for action now. (MP3 File: 10:59 Minutes. More information on downloading files.)
"HCCU Press Conference" -- Segment 3 of 5 -- Listen to the announcement of a proposal fielded by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU, which includes the AAFP. Coalition representatives, including AAFP President Rick Kellerman, M.D., answer questions about the proposal, how it will benefit patients and the consensus process. (MP3 File: 9 Minutes. More information on downloading files.)
"HCCU Press Conference" -- Segment 4 of 5 -- Listen to the announcement of a proposal fielded by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU, which includes the AAFP. Coalition representatives answer reporters' questions about the proposal. (MP3 File: 13:17 Minutes. More information on downloading files.)
"HCCU Press Conference" -- Segment 5 of 5 -- Listen to the announcement of a proposal fielded by the Health Coverage Coalition for the Uninsured, or HCCU, which includes the AAFP. Coalition representatives answer more reporter questions about the proposal. (MP3 File: 17:37 Minutes. More information on downloading files.)
Health Reform: A Call for Change