Peterj Cunningham News Today

The best Medicaid policy would mainstream as many individuals andfamilies as possible into private coverage and encourageself-direction for those the Medicaid safety net was intended. Whenconsidering changes in the Medicaid program, federal and statepolicymakers should ensure fiscal control and improve the way thatlow-income individuals and families receive care.

President Bush's health care agenda would increase public andprivate coverage for millions of Americans. The outlined healthpolicy agenda introduces key changes in the conventional financingand delivery of health care. Chief among the proposals are healthcare tax credits for lower-income individuals and families and newmarket-based insurance reforms to enable Americans to purchaseprivate health coverage.