[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 173 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  DIETARY SUPPLEMENT TAX FAIRNESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2001

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be reintroducing 
this legislation in the Congress. It represents an important and 
critical step forward to improving our healthcare system. Throughout my 
career in Congress, I have always led efforts to examine and support 
complementary and alternative healthcare. In chairing the House 
Committee on Government Reform, we have learned a great deal about 
healthcare that represents a marketplace of over $30 billion dollars 
and is utilized by one out of every four Americans.
  One critical item we have discovered is the inequities that exist 
within the Internal Revenue Code that discourage good health and 
wellness. For example, many consumers often ask why there are no 
insurance benefits for dietary supplements, which are used primarily to 
maintain good health and wellness. Some dietary supplements, like Folic 
Acid, can help prevent disease or disease risks like birth defects. 
Many insurance companies would like to offer coverage to their 
beneficiaries who continually demand this type of coverage. 
Unfortunately, the tax code does not allow an insurer to offer this 
coverage without incurring tax liabilities to consumers and higher 
administration costs. This powerful disincentive needs to be removed so 
health insurers can begin developing meaningful and cost effective 
benefits for their beneficiaries and assist them in maintaining good 
health longer.
  I am pleased to be joined by five of my colleagues on the 
reintroduction of this bill. I am pleased that Mr. Cannon of Utah, Mr. 
Istook of Oklahoma, Mr. Paul of Texas, and Mr. Horn of California have 
joined as cosponsors in this bill. I am also pleased to be joined by 
the Gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Pallone in reintroducing this 
legislation. It emphasizes two other important things for my 
colleagues. This legislation is bipartisan and should be supported by 
members on both sides of the aisle.
  I also note last week the White House Commission on Complementary and 
Alternative Medicine Policy convened for one of its final meetings. 
This Commission will be issuing an important report and recommendations 
for the Congress and the Administration in March 2002. One of the 
several key recommendations that is likely to be made by the Commission 
is that the Congress begin reforming the Internal Revenue Code to 
support and encourage health insurance coverage for complementary 
health care. The federal government should be actively working to 
remove barriers to coverage and access to complementary health care. I 
look forward to reviewing that report when it is released next year and 
work with the Administration to implement the recommendations.

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