Reform Act may level health insurance costs. (Health Care Cost Containment and Reform Act of 1992) (Focus: Employee Benefits & Insurance)

Price standards for health insurance would be established for all physicians and hospitals under one of several proposed national health-care reforms.

"I think this is a pretty good step toward national health care," said Alfred Gilchrist, director of legal affairs for the Texas Medical Association.

The Health Care Cost Containment and Reform Act of 1992 could be presented to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee this week.

"There's nothing in the |act~ that addresses the increased cost that hospital doctors and other medical-care providers have to pay," Gilchrist said.

The reform would reduce the number of uninsured U.S. citizens by more than half during the next decade, partly by giving medical coverage to all children under age 19, according to a press release issued by the bill's sponsor, …