The New York Times is reporting that the health insurance industry is proposing an expansion of Medicaid and new tax breaks to expand coverage to virtually everyone within 10 years.

More than few people would argue that Medicaid is barely functional now. Witness that many physicians and hospitals refuse to take these patients because the government does not reimburse enough to even cover the cost of health care. So, without new funding mechanisms, isn't this proposal simply a way to quietly shift the cost to providers who in turn will pass it on to private insurers who in turn, will pass it to, yep, the employees paying for health insurance. What will happen then? Higher co-pays, higher deductibles, more $$ paid by working individuals. In name, we will achieve universal coverage, but will it help the U.S. achieve what should be the real goal? Universal HEALTH?