America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) has put forward plans to cover all US children with health insurance within three years and all adults within 10 years. The trade group represents 1300 companies that provide health insurance to more than 200 million US residents. Leading US newspapers have criticised the plan, however.

The insurers' plan would expand Medicaid, which provides health insurance for poor people and children. It would cover adults who have incomes below the poverty level—$9800 (£5060; €7470) for a single adult—and children in families that earn less than twice that. The poverty level for a …