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Catania Advocates Wider Health Care Safety Net |
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At the February 1, 2005, D.C. Council legislative meeting, Councilmembers David Catania (At-Large) and Vincent Gray (Ward 7) proposed expanding coverage under the District's subsidized health care system to children whose household income is less than 250% of the federal poverty level. Catania and Gray's measure also allows individuals whose income is between 200% and 250% to buy into the health care safety net. The increase in those covered by this system will result in fewer trips to the emergency room and less strain on health care infrastructure.
Catania said, "The cost of living in the District is such that many low and moderate income parent cannot afford health insurance for their children or themselves. The current 200% threshold is simply too low to provide significant benefit." Currently, a single parent that earns $25,000 is not eligible for the health care safety net. At the same income, that person's child will not receive Medicaid, either. The "Health Care Safety Net Increased Eligibility Amendment Act" expands that program's eligibility to individuals 18 years of age or younger whose household income does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty level. Catania's bill also requires the mayor to develop a plan by which individuals whose household income is between 200% and 250% of the federal poverty level could buy into the health care safety net system. The buy-in rate would be established as a sliding scale based on household income. Catania concluded, "Health care should not be a luxury for hard working parents in the District. Once these residents enroll in this program, their quality of life will improve and the government will not be left with ever-escalating costs at a later date." |
