Illinois Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama unveiled details of his universal healthcare plan today after wrapping up a two-day visit to the North Country.
NHPR's Dianne Finch reports.
Senator Barack Obama is proposing a “National Health Insurance Exchange†where anyone could find and buy a health insurance plan.
To be a part of that exchange, insurance companies would have to adhere to consumer protection guidelines.
"Millions of people will be part of this insurance exchange. If insurers want to participate they’re going to have to play by the rules and make sure that different policies and practices are fair.â€
The federal government would pick up the tab for catastrophic illnesses AND boost funding for preventative care programs.
Obama says that government negotiations for drugs would save $30 billion dollars toward the national coverage.
And other ways to fund his plan include employer contributions and a roll back on President Bush's tax cuts for the richest Americans.
For NHPR News, I’m Dianne Finch.
