Those Republicans and their Damn Tax Breaks...
While we are on this oh so wonderful idea of providing tax breaks for the people who deserve them, try this one on for size, it is one I have been trying to find the time to pitch to Rep. Dan Severson, or any other Representative I might run into.
The Healthy Living Tax Credit.
Let’s face it, a society in which the government does not cover some of the health care, or subsidize carriers that give poor people a lower premium is not by any stretches of the imagination a feasible plan. And so if we are doomed to forever picking up part of the tab for health care throughout the nation, we might as well figure out a way to reduce spending on health care. The best way to reduce the amount of money spent on health care (with the exception possibly of reducing frivolous lawsuits) is to encourage people to stay healthy. So, what I am proposing is a tax break for those citizens actively seeking a healthy lifestyle through the means of health clubs.
Health Clubs are expensive, and the average American cannot afford to spare the $60 a month it costs to join one. What if then, we offer a tax credit of up to $500 for those who join a club and then attend on a regular basis. The "regular basis" part could be set up by the law making bodies to be 6-8 times a month. With a simple report from your health club, along with the receipts of payment, one would be eligible for a rebate for the amount of the club, up to and no more than $500. This way the government is making it easier for people to stay healthy, there fore spending less on medicine. This would directly target those citizens without insurance who wouldn't be able to afford a health club, or the medical charges incurred while being unhealthy.
It seems perfectly workable to me, and out of pure self interest, I like the idea of getting reimbursed for something I will no doubt spend thousands of dollars on throughout my lifetime.
Adam
The Healthy Living Tax Credit.
Let’s face it, a society in which the government does not cover some of the health care, or subsidize carriers that give poor people a lower premium is not by any stretches of the imagination a feasible plan. And so if we are doomed to forever picking up part of the tab for health care throughout the nation, we might as well figure out a way to reduce spending on health care. The best way to reduce the amount of money spent on health care (with the exception possibly of reducing frivolous lawsuits) is to encourage people to stay healthy. So, what I am proposing is a tax break for those citizens actively seeking a healthy lifestyle through the means of health clubs.
Health Clubs are expensive, and the average American cannot afford to spare the $60 a month it costs to join one. What if then, we offer a tax credit of up to $500 for those who join a club and then attend on a regular basis. The "regular basis" part could be set up by the law making bodies to be 6-8 times a month. With a simple report from your health club, along with the receipts of payment, one would be eligible for a rebate for the amount of the club, up to and no more than $500. This way the government is making it easier for people to stay healthy, there fore spending less on medicine. This would directly target those citizens without insurance who wouldn't be able to afford a health club, or the medical charges incurred while being unhealthy.
It seems perfectly workable to me, and out of pure self interest, I like the idea of getting reimbursed for something I will no doubt spend thousands of dollars on throughout my lifetime.
Adam
posted by Brad @ 9:40 PM
1 Comments:
At 12:44 AM, December 30, 2005,
Anonymous said…
Great blog I hope we can work to build a better health care system as we are in a major crisis and health insurance is a major aspect to many.
Post a Comment
<< Home