For Immediate Release
July 16, 2003
Contact: Laura Clay Trueman
(202) 626-857
ltrueman@jeffersongr.com

The Coalition for Affordable Health Coverage

New House Bill Helps “Working Poor”
Afford Private Health Insurance

Washington, DC - The Coalition for Affordable Health Coverage (CAHC) has given their endorsement to new legislation to help the uninsured, introduced this week by the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Health, Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) and Congressman Edolphus Towns (D-NY). The bill, known as the “Health Insurance Certificate Act of 2003,” makes private health insurance more affordable to many uninsured low income Americans by providing them with a certificate – or voucher -- to help pay for premiums which may have been too costly without such assistance.

“It’s time we helped those individuals and families who work long hours in low wage jobs – sometimes even two jobs --in order to make ends meet and stay off welfare,” says CAHC’s Executive Director, Laura Clay Trueman. “This bill fills an important gap in our current system. Medicaid exists for the very poor and employers offer employee benefits for many of the middle class, but a majority of the working lower income go without coverage. They deserve the security of having the kind of private coverage which most Americans enjoy.”

About 15% of non-elderly Americans are uninsured. Affordability is the main barrier to coverage. People with incomes below the poverty level ($8,980 for an individual and $18,400 for a family of four) make up 25% of the uninsured. Another 16% earn between 100 and 150% percent of poverty level. The income eligibility guidelines for H.R. 2698 mean that more than half of the uninsured would be able to participate in this program.

“The Health Insurance Certificate Act of 2003 would make a significant dent in assisting those who are currently without coverage. It helps the lowest income, and they are more likely to be the long term uninsured who really need this assistance,” says Coalition Board member Dede Spitznagel, Executive Vice President at the Healthcare Leadership Council. “Chairman Bilirakis and

Congressman Towns are to be commended for creating this legislation. We hope Congress will move this bill, and help those who are currently falling through the cracks of our system.” The bill would give a $1000 certificate, or voucher, to individuals who make $13,000 or less, and up to $2750 for families who make $25,000 or less. Recipients would use the certificates to purchase private health insurance.

The Coalition for Affordable Health Coverage represents a diverse cross-section of health-related businesses, including health care providers, consumer groups, small and large businesses, insurance companies and underwriters, pharmaceutical corporations, and others. The Coalition will continue to work with House Committee staff, offering the expertise of its membership as the Health Insurance Certificate Act of 2003 is moved forward.