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2005 Ron Paul Chapter 75
Not linked on Ron Paul’s Congressional website.
Congressional Record [.PDF]
Introducing The Comprehensive Health Care Act
27 June 2005
HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Monday, June 27, 2005
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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.
2005 Ron Paul 75:2
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.
2005 Ron Paul 75:3
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.
2005 Ron Paul 75:4
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:
2005 Ron Paul 75:5
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.
2005 Ron Paul 75:6
B. Allows individuals to roll over unused amounts in cafeteria plans and Flexible Savings
Accounts (FSA).
2005 Ron Paul 75:7
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.
2005 Ron Paul 75:8
D. Repeals the 7.5 percent threshold for the deduction of medical expenses, thus making
all medical expenses tax deductible.
2005 Ron Paul 75:9
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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