Health Care

"And the mission... of government is to make sure that the quality of health care received by our patients around this country remains the best in the world. Private medicine works. And we need to make sure that we put good policies in place to make sure private medicine is the norm, quality care is given to as many Americans as possible... Our job is to keep the economy growing as best we can so people are able to help themselves and get out of poverty and be able to afford health care... that's why I'm suggesting that Congress revisit the tax code to make it easier for citizens to be able to afford insurance."

President George W. Bush
February 21, 2007


 
In his State Of The Union Address, the President proposed two Initiatives that will work together to help more Americans afford basic private health insurance. The President's proposed standard deduction for health insurance will reform the tax code to make private health insurance more affordable and to level the playing field. Those who buy health insurance on their own would get the same tax advantage as those who get health insurance through their jobs. For those who remain unable to afford coverage, the President's Affordable Choices Initiative will help eligible States assist their low-income and hard-to-insure citizens in purchasing private health insurance.
 
Employees of small businesses will benefit from these Initiatives the most. Today, only 48 percent of the smallest companies (3-9 employees) offer health benefits according to a recent survey*. That compares with 73 percent of firms with 10 to 24 workers, 87 percent of firms with 25 to 49 workers and over 90 percent of firms with 50 or more workers. Making health insurance more affordable will greatly improve the health and lives of hard-working Americans.


Strengthening Health Care
For information on President Bush’s Health Care Initiatives, please visit: Whitehouse.gov/infocus/healthcare.
 
Health Savings Accounts
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are designed to help individuals save for future qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis. For information, please visit: Treas.gov/offices/public-affairs/hsa/.
 
Medicare
For the official U.S. Government site for people with Medicare, please visit: Medicare.gov/.
 
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) 
This program is jointly financed by the Federal and State governments and administered by the States. Within broad Federal guidelines, each State determines the design of its program, eligibility groups, benefit packages, payment levels for coverage, and administrative and operating procedures. For information, please visit Cms.hhs.gov/home/schip.asp.

 

* Source: Employer Health Benefits 2006 Annual Report, The Kaiser Family Foundation along with Health Research and Educational Trust.