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Kerry Plan Would Pay for 'Catastrophic' Illness

One of the few new ideas in health care this year is a piece of John Kerry's health plan that would have the federal government take over the costs of patients with "catastrophic" illnesses. Kerry and some analysts say it would reduce premiums and help shore up the employer insurance system. Critics say it would just get the government even more involved in health care. NPR's Julie Rovner reports.

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Julie Rovner is a health policy correspondent for NPR specializing in the politics of health care.Reporting on all aspects of health policy and politics, Rovner covers the White House, Capitol Hill, the Department of Health and Human Services in addition to issues around the country. She served as NPR's lead correspondent covering the passage and implementation of the 2010 health overhaul bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.