[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 87 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             INTRODUCING THE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 27, 2005

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, America faces a crisis in health care. Health 
care costs continue to rise, leaving many Americans unable to afford 
health insurance, while those with health care coverage, and their 
physicians, struggle under the control of managed-care ``gatekeepers.'' 
Obviously, fundamental health care reform should be one of Congress' 
top priorities.
  Unfortunately, most health care ``reform'' proposals either make 
marginal changes or exacerbate the problem. This is because they fail 
to address the root of the problem with health care, which is that 
government policies encourage excessive reliance on third-party payers. 
The excessive reliance on third-party payers removes all incentive from 
individual patients to concern themselves with health care costs. Laws 
and policies promoting Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) resulted 
from a desperate attempt to control spiraling costs. However, instead 
of promoting an efficient health care system, HMOs further took control 
over health care away from the individual patient and physician.
  Furthermore, the predominance of third-party payers means there is 
effectively no market for individual health insurance policies, thus 
those whose employers cannot offer them health benefits must either pay 
exorbitant fees for health insurance or do without health insurance. 
Since most health care providers cater to those with health insurance, 
it is very difficult for the uninsured to find health care that meets 
their needs at an affordable price. The result is many of the uninsured 
turn to government-funded health care systems, or use their local 
emergency room as their primary care physician. The result of this is 
declining health for the uninsured and increased burden on taxpayer-
financed health care system.
  Returning control over health care to the individual is the key to 
true health care reform. The Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act puts 
control of health care back into the hands of the individual through 
tax credits, tax deductions, Health Care Savings Accounts (HSA), and 
Flexible Savings Accounts. By giving individuals tax incentives to 
purchase their own health care, the Comprehensive Health Care Act will 
help more Americans obtain quality health insurance and health care. 
Specifically, the Comprehensive Health Care Act:
  A. Provides all Americans with a tax credit for 100% of health care 
expenses. The tax credit is fully refundable against both income and 
payroll taxes.
  B. Allows individuals to roll over unused amounts in cafeteria plans 
and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA).
  C. Makes every American eligible for an Health Savings Account (HSA), 
removes the requirement that individuals must obtain a high-deductible 
insurance policy to open an HSA; allows individuals to use their HSA to 
make premium payments for high-deductible policy; and allows senior 
citizens to use their HSA to purchase Medigap policies.
  D. Repeals the 7.5 percent threshold for the deduction of medical 
expenses, thus making all medical expenses tax deductible.
  By providing a wide range of options, this bill allows individual 
Americans to choose the method of financing health care that best suits 
their individual needs. Increasing frustration with the current health 
care system is leading more and more Americans to embrace this approach 
to health care reform. For example, a poll by the respected Zogby firm 
showed that over 80 percent of Americans support providing all 
Americans with access to a Health Savings Account. I hope all my 
colleagues will join this effort to put individuals back in control of 
health care by cosponsoring the Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act.

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