Lt. gov. proposes plan to insure all kids

Lt Gov Mark Taylor announced yesterday that if Illinois can do it, we can do it too...Over the last two years we have watched a debate play out in the General Assembly about whether parents ahve the right to medical coverage for their kids with disabilities under a plan called the Katie Beckett waiver. The Department of Community Health has tried to chip away at its coverage by proposing premiums, a proposal that was wisely smacked down by the Georgia's legislators. They then have pushed thousands of families off of this important safety net by tightening eligilbility for children. The end result, more families are afraid of falling into medical and financial crisis at any minute. Lt. Gov Taylors' proposal is a recognition that this issue is larger than just kids with disabilities, even though it is sometimes easier to see the responsibility here, it is a issue of healthcare for all kids.

What do you think, does this have to be a partisan issue?

Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor announced Monday a proposal that would provide health insurance coverage for every child in Georgia, regardless of family income — an idea that is likely to face opposition from Republicans... Taylor's staff said there are 99,751 children in Georgia who are uninsured and do not qualify for Medicaid or PeachCare, according to a 2004 report by the
American Academy of Pediatrics. The plan would not have income caps; instead the state would use family income to determine insurance co-payments. For example, a family earning less than $100,000 a year with one child would pay $40 per month in premiums, $10 for a doctor visit co-payment and 5 percent for a drug co-payment.

Lt. gov. proposes plan to insure all kids ajc.com