By Crystal Swann
February 3, 2003

Louisiana Senator John Breaux chose the 71st Winter Meeting of the Conference of Mayors to release his framework January 23 for a universal healthcare system which "combines individual involvement with the best care options offered by the private sector, backed by the resources and oversight of federal and state governments.

Senator Breaux stressed that "even though $1.4 trillion is spent each year on health care, the current, piecemeal approach to health care reform puts people in health care "boxes," all of which are failing, and leaves 41 million Americans without health insurance coverage." Senator Breaux's proposal calls for all Americans to acquire a basic insurance package, as defined by the federal government and similar to the standard benefit packages available to members of Congress and federal employees. According to "the Breaux Plan," every American would be guaranteed access to health insurance at a group rate.

And finally, the plan would provide lower and middle-income Americans with health care coverage subsidized by the federal government through refundable and tax credits.