Giving Americans Control of Their Own Health Insurance

Nina Owcharenko Schaefer / July 17, 2009

Republicans in Congress are making yet another major attempt to reform the health care system, going in a very different direction from the expensive health reform bills proposed by Democrats. Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) is set to introduce his Improving Health Care for All Americans Act, which seeks to control costs while promoting greater health insurance portability and choice. The bill offers three main provisions: offer tax relief for those who don’t have employer-sponsored insurance or don’t like their current work place coverage, establish new pooling arrangements for individuals, and facilitate mechanisms for the state to address high cost individuals.

Tax credits – The Shadegg bill acknowledges that those employees who like their workplace coverage can keep it and continue to enjoy tax exclusion on health benefits. However, there are others who don’t like their employer’s coverage or don’t have access to employer-provided insurance. Tax credits are given to these people, allowing them to go out and buy private plans that best suit their needs. This presents Americans with greater flexibility to choose plans that they like and increased affordability of insurance. (more…)