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D.C. Councilmember David Catania introduced legislation on October 11, 2005, that calls for a program to make health insurance reasonable and widely available to small businesses and the uninsured. Nearly 74,000 D.C. residents live precariously without health insurance, earning too much to qualify for public programs but too little to afford commercial coverage. The reinsurance proposal would offer streamlined coverage to small businesses and individuals who find themselves in this "No Man's Land".
"The D.C. Healthcare Alliance was pioneering and lowered the number of uninsured in the District dramatically," Catania noted. "But now, we must do more. Making sure more people have access to health insurance is not only the right thing to do, but it will also benefit the District financially when patients are treated before the onset of significant health problems." Introduced with Council Chairman Linda Cropp, Catania's proposed Healthy D.C. is designed to benefit small businesses and the working uninsured. The legislation directs the Mayor to contract with a private organization to offer a streamlined health insurance plan to companies with fewer than 50 employees as well as self-employed and middle-income individuals. Coverage under Healthy D.C. would include inpatient and outpatient hospital services; physician visits; maternity care; primary care; diagnostic and x-ray services; emergency services; and a partial prescription drug benefit. Reduced-cost premiums would be split evenly between employers and employees, with certain co-pays and deductibles covered by the individual. The contracted insurer reimburses claims up to $5,000 and the District covers 90 percent of claims between $5,001 and $75,000. The insurer is responsible for all claims over $75,000. For more information, please contact the Office of Councilmember David Catania by calling 202-724-7772. |
