Baucus Says He Will Push for 'Universal Coverage' in '09

Universal health insurance coverage will be one of the top priorities of Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) next year no matter who is president, the senator said September 23.

Baucus, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, told an audience at the National Press Club that a health care bill would be his No. 1 push in 2009. He said he hasn’t yet written the bill, but gave a glimpse into what it would include – “universal coverage,” to begin.

Baucus said the bill would include “sharing the burden,” which he didn’t explain except to say “We’re all in this together.” He could be talking about any number of cost-sharing proposals, like Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) plan for community rating of premiums or taxpayer funding for a government health plan.

He said his bill also would include “insurance reform,” again with no explanation. He mentioned Medicare cost cutting, preventive care and smoking cessation programs as well.

Despite the current banking crisis, with a suggested $700-billion taxpayer-funded bailout, and the potential costs of the “universal coverage” he supports, Baucus also said Congress must address climate change in its next session. He said he expected climate change actions to “add 20 percent to the cost of energy,” but he was adamant about the necessity for action.

Baucus spoke on a panel sponsored by the American Medical Association and U.S. News & World Report, titled “47 Million: Will the Uninsured Get Health Coverage?” Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) was scheduled to be on the panel but was unable to attend.