The Breaux Plan: a radically centrist approach to a new health care system

Sen. John Breaux (D-LA) proposes a new universal health insurance scheme that takes the best from both the private and the public sectors. Government would use its strength as regulator to set minimum standards and offer a fallback coverage system; states would organize their own insurance pools and arrange coverage for the most vulnerable. The private sector would play a critical role to ensure that the new system was based on principles of competition; employers would have the option of covering their workers much as they do now; and individual coverage would still be available for those who desire and can afford it. For the first time, Americans would be held accountable for obtaining health insurance and would be assisted in doing so.