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We are the richest nation in the world, yet more than 47 million Americans are without health coverage. The rising number of uninsured Americans affects all of us through higher medical costs, higher premiums, and worse outcomes. Health coverage must be universal with options for those who cannot afford or do not have access to private insurance. It also must give small businesses an affordable way to cover their employees. |
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In the last Congress, I introduced the Universal Health Coverage Act (S. 1899) to build on the current employer-based system and protect government-sponsored health programs. President Obama has made health care reform one of his Administration's top priorities. In the coming months, I look forward to working with the President and my Senate colleagues on passage of legislation that will ensure all Americans have health care coverage.
My other health care initiatives include...
- Access for All Americans Act to increase the number of community health centers, which currently provide affordable primary care, dental care, mental health services and low-cost prescription drugs to 18 million Americans;
- Keep Children Covered Act, to increase funding for SCHIP, which provides millions of American children with health insurance;
- Children's Dental Health Improvement Act to require states to include dental health coverage for children in their SCHIP programs;
- Increased funding for medical research for NIH, Maryland's world-class universities and our State's cutting edge biotech industry, all of which are working on cures for a myriad of diseases, as well as ways to protect our citizens from epidemics or bioterrorist attacks.
- Preserving Medicare for All Act to change the Medicare Part D program to guarantee a universally available, defined prescription drug benefit plan for seniors through Medicare;
- Medicare Preventive Services Coverage Act to waive fees for preventive services for Medicare beneficiaries and extend eligibility period for "Welcome to Medicare" physical examines. As a member of the House, my proposal to include preventative benefits in Medicare was enacted into law; and,
- Medicare Early Access Act to allow individuals between 55 and 64 to buy into the Medicare program;
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