Mayo Clinic releases universal health coverage proposal

The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report has a useful overview of the new universal health coverage proposal recently released by the Mayo Clinic, which, due to the clinic being "extremely well respected," may end up being considered by lawmakers around the country. The proposal "recommends that the U.S. create a health care system based on portable individual-based coverage." (Source: "Mayo Clinic Releases Universal Health Coverage Proposal," Sept. 17, 2007.) Among the proposals are that U.S. residents be required to obtain health care coverage, that the coverage be paid for by individuals with help from employers in some cases, and that lower-income individuals receive government assistance on a sliding scale. Private insurance companies would also "be required to offer standard plans with many options and would not be able to refuse applicants."

The recommendations were drafted by over 400 health care experts. However, some business executives who took part in the Mayo Clinic discussions said they were "not ready to abandon their current health plans for employees" even though they "agreed that rising medical costs and the aging of the baby boomer generation were pushing the current system toward a crisis."