Health Insurance family style: public approaches to reaching the uninsured

This issue brief explores existing and potential opportunities to further expand the availability of health coverage for the uninsured and the under insured, given the current economy and the resulting state budget shortfalls. It also considers the implications of the Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability initiative recently announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the legislative options for health care reform being debated in Washington, including tax-credit incentives and additional federal funding for public coverage expansions through Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The Forum session will explore state, federal, and academic perspectives on public coverage expansions and the variety of paths available to support such expansions. The meeting will also address the cost implications of the differing perspectives in the context of the shifting economy. This is expected to lead to a discussion among presenters and participants of the future of and priorities for public financing of health insurance coverage.