THE UNINSURED: GOP Praises Clinton Tax Break Proposal
The Republican leadership in Congress Monday announced its support for President Clinton's proposed tax breaks to help the 44 million Americans without health insurance to purchase coverage, the AP/Nando Times reports. House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) said, "Tax credits for the uninsured have broad bipartisan support. Now that the president is on board, there's no reason we can't get this done this year." The administration plan is expected to include "unspecified tax credits for people who purchase health insurance policies" (1/3). The plan likely also will include a $1,000 tax credit to help people with disabilities or lasting illness to pay for long term care; a $1,000 tax credit for the disabled to return to work by helping to pay for transportation and job-related expenses; and tax credits for elderly care and childcare (AHL, 1/3). Although a sweeping tax-relief agreement between the Republican leadership and the White House "faces long odds," health insurance tax breaks are "one potential area of compromise." Moreover, Armey praised the Clinton administration for highlighting the uninsured and urged support for his legislation that would provide a $3,000 tax credit for families purchasing health coverage outside the workplace. Armey said, "We face this persistent crisis of the uninsured because the tax code isn't fair. It discriminates against people who don't get their insurance at work" (AP/Nando Times, 1/3).
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