Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna reintroduces the State-Based Universal Health Care Act

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Acknowledging the distinctive role of American states in spearheading the advocacy for universal healthcare, Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17), member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, has reintroduced the State-Based Universal Health Care Act on November 8, 2023. The Bill will provide states with federal funding streams and regulatory flexibility to support affordable, universal health care plans, said a press release from Congressman Khanna’s office.

“Universal health care will save lives and help fix our broken system that has left millions of Americans with crushing medical debt. As we work towards universal health coverage at the federal level, we should also support state-based plans. I’m proud to lead this critical legislation to give every state the power to provide coverage for their residents while we continue working to make Medicare for All a reality,” noted Khanna.

“The State-Based Universal Health Care Act is a crucial step towards transforming our healthcare system into one that is more equitable and accessible for all. It empowers states with the necessary resources and flexibility to tailor healthcare solutions to meet the unique needs of their residents, moving us closer to achieving universal healthcare coverage,” said Congressman Shri Thanedar (MI-13).

According to the press release, the State-Based Universal Health Care Act enables states to design individualized plans, using federal funding and flexible regulations, to ensure affordable and universal healthcare access for their residents. To qualify for the waiver, states or groups must submit plans aiming to achieve healthcare coverage for 95 per cent of their population within a five-year period.

“After that time, participating states would be required to demonstrate they reached coverage targets and provide a plan to cover the remaining five percent of their population,” added the press release. “States that do not reach the 95 percent target after five years would have to revise their plan to achieve the targets, or risk losing their waiver. Federal technical assistance would be made available for states seeking help in developing and implementing these plans.”

If further added that the provided regulatory flexibility and funding streams combined include: “the requirements for the establishment, creation, and maintenance of health benefit exchanges; cost-sharing reductions under the ACA; premium tax credit and employer mandate under the ACA; Medicare; Medicaid; CHIP; FEHBP; TRICARE; and ERISA pre-emption provision.”

States will have the autonomy to create their unique state-based universal healthcare initiatives provided they adhere to the specified criteria for coverage extent and depth.