Bush proposing health insurance changes


WASHINGTON -
President Bush will propose a tax deduction of $7,500 for individuals and $15,000 for families regardless of whether they buy their own health insurance or receive medical coverage at work.


Bush also will announce steps to take some federal money now going to hospitals and other facilities and give it to states for programs to reduce the number of uninsured people.



There are an estimated 46 million to 48 million people in the United States who are uninsured at some point during the year.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush


isn't the tax on smoking and smokers paying for designed to lower the cost of being able to afford health insurance to those un-insured or is it that there are to many federal and non-federal organizations dipping their hand into the cash cows belly... I am confused on this with the billions of dollars being raped from the smokers in taxes, being denied services ect where is all that money that is suppose to be going to help decrease the cost of paying for health insurance for the un-insured

quote:

Originally posted by Jemeyes:
Bush proposing health insurance changes


WASHINGTON -
President Bush will propose a tax deduction of $7,500 for individuals and $15,000 for families regardless of whether they buy their own health insurance or receive medical coverage at work.


Bush also will announce steps to take some federal money now going to hospitals and other facilities and give it to states for programs to reduce the number of uninsured people.



There are an estimated 46 million to 48 million people in the United States who are uninsured at some point during the year.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush


isn't the tax on smoking and smokers paying for designed to lower the cost of being able to afford health insurance to those un-insured or is it that there are to many federal and non-federal organizations dipping their hand into the cash cows belly... I am confused on this with the billions of dollars being raped from the smokers in taxes, being denied services ect where is all that money that is suppose to be going to help decrease the cost of paying for health insurance for the un-insured

Raped I assume is saying the money is taken from you against your will, however I think you willingly pay the tax each time you buy a pack of smokes. I don't pay tobacco tax as I choose not to.

Hey jemeyes! I also don't think this "tax deduction" is going to benefit people as much as the president says. A "deduction" is different than a "credit". A deduction is only available if you can itemize deductions (in the case of a married couple, the standard deduction is about $10,200) and, if its a deduction related to medical expenses, it has to exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

A credit might be a benefit if your total tax liability exceeds $7,500, but most "credits" are non-refundable.

If this proposal passes, I suggest people that are affected consult their tax advisor

During a period of insanity as a non-smoker I had health insurance and found my allergies went beserk. I asked the doctor for advice and was immediately given a chest xray, a perscription, and an appointment for a MRI. I went in for the MRI, they did it twice and just for my benefit I was given a CAT SCAN. I was then scheduled for an appointment to explain the results.

The initial appointment took two hours, the second six hours, the explaination of finds didn't happen. After sitting in the waiting room for five hours I was told my doctor had left for the day. No one else could interpret the results, I had to make another appointment.

The n4ext appointment took two months, the results: a spec of calcium in my lungs.

Throughout this I had no concerns, I was made aware that my whole family was on needles and pins throughout this period assuming the worst.

I had congestion due to my allergies, that was all it was to me. But insurance paid for many appointments and tests that were unnecessary. I lost many hours of work, who benefitted from my problem, me or the medical profession?

Since resuming smoking my allergies have been in check. I no longer bother with health insurance or the opinions of the medical profession.

The poor can NOT afford health insurance because of it's cost and the time it takes to get service.