Tax Credits for Health Care

While Pennsylvania lawmakers discuss mandating universal health care coverage, a Census Bureau report indicates fewer people are receiving health insurance from their employers, and more are paying for it themselves.

An Atlanta Journal Constitution editorial suggests that what is needed is tax credits for individuals who buy health insurance of pay out of pocket, summarized here by NCPA Employer health benefits plans are tax-free, and self-employed persons get a tax credit, but self-insured receive no such incentive.

What we need, as my recent commentary suggests, is not mandates, but creating more options for individuals and small businesses, and a policy that is neutral in terms of how one obtains health care.