Universal Coverage
The WSMA has the unqualified position that universal health care coverage
is an achievable objective through a variety of mechanisms which could be
private, public, or a combination thereof. (Res C-5, A-07; Res C-1, A-09)
(Reaffirmed A-18)
The WSMA supports universal health care coverage based on the following
principles:
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Health care coverage should be universal so that no one is without
access to health care by reason of employment status, health status, or
other life circumstances.
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Health care coverage should promote timely access to high-quality care
that is both therapeutically effective and economically efficient.
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Health care coverage should be continuous with no breaks in coverage
that can delay or interrupt necessary medical care and expose
individuals and families to the risk of severe financial hardship.
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Health care coverage should be affordable to individuals and families so
that the sum of contributions to health coverage through premiums, taxes
and out-of-pocket requirements do not render unaffordable the basic
necessities of life.
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Health care coverage should be affordable and sustainable for society
through an administrative approach that (a) maximizes efficiency through
core coverage standards and operating procedures that are common to all
financing entities and (b) factors into coverage decisions accurate
measures of the true costs and benefits of new drugs, devices and
treatment protocols
(Amended A-19)
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Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:
EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on
Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health
Services