[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 104 (Tuesday, August 2, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               TAXING HEALTH CARE BENEFITS SEEN AS UNFAIR

  (Mr. TORKILDSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TORKILDSEN. Mr. Speaker, several health care reform proposals, 
including the newly released Clinton-Gephardt bill, would tax any 
health care benefits purchased above a national benefit plan.
  The taxation of additional benefits places an unfair burden on 
Americans wishing or needing to purchase addition coverage. It would 
sacrifice the rights of American to many types of quality, cost-
effective health care. Millions of workers have negotiated quality 
insurance packages, rather than accept much deserved raises. Taxing 
health benefits effectively results in a pay cut.

  Taxing health insurance benefits would be an unfair tax on millions 
of Americans. It would make universal coverage more difficult to 
achieve, and would reduce the quality care many Americans now receive.
  We have the rare opportunity to implement true health care reform, to 
provide every American access to quality, affordable health care. We 
should not add a regressive tax which would reduce and restrict access 
to quality health care.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' to taxing health care benefits.

                          ____________________