Giuliani’s Take on Health Care
If you’re wondering what some of the 2008 Candidates think about HSA’s and the Consumer Driven Health Care Movement - at least one has come out strongly in favor - Rudy Giuliani. Here is his Op-Ed piece from the Boston Globe, here’s an excerpt - go to the site for the rest:
Americans without employer-based insurance, or those who would rather have individual coverage, should enjoy the same tax benefits as the 175 million Americans with employer-based coverage.
We can do this through a new tax-free income exclusion up to $15,000 for Americans without employer-based coverage. Any amount a family pays less than $15,000 — for individuals, less than $7,500 — could be put tax-free into a Health Savings Account. This would create a powerful incentive for more Americans to own their private health insurance — making it portable instead of dependent on an employer.
If millions of people go into the marketplace looking for less expensive health insurance, it will drive the insurance companies to create less expensive products that meet individual needs instead of government mandates. Americans should have the option to buy health insurance similar to their auto insurance — covering major costs while leaving decisions about minor expenses to the consumer — while those happy with their current coverage can keep it.
Empowering people with real choice will improve markets and lower premiums. Expanded tax-free Health Savings Accounts could be used for insurance premiums, deductibles, and other expenses. With more flexibility and individual control, Health Savings Accounts can become a major source of tax-free savings and security for America’s middle class. As savings are created and there are reductions in the cost of health insurance, we will develop a new health insurance credit for low-income individuals and families so they can purchase private insurance tailored to their needs. We want to empower individuals, not the government.