I commend lawmakers in the Oklahoma House for promoting consumer-directed health plans and health savings accounts (“State House panel passes health care bill,” Feb. 24). By encouraging insurers to offer low-cost policies that cover core benefits and by granting employers tax credits to help cover the cost of insurance, state legislators will ensure that health insurance is within reach for nearly all Oklahomans.
Lawmakers should also consider extending tax credits to folks who purchase insurance in the individual marketplace.
Allowing individuals to buy health insurance with pre-tax dollars — as businesses currently can for their employees — would make health coverage affordable for thousands more and help people keep their policies if they switch jobs.
Sally C. Pipes, San Francisco, Calif.
Editor’s note: Pipes is president and CEO of Pacific Research Institute
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.
Make health insurance affordable
Sally C. Pipes
Tusla World (Tulsa, Oklahoma), March 2, 2009
I commend lawmakers in the Oklahoma House for promoting consumer-directed health plans and health savings accounts (“State House panel passes health care bill,” Feb. 24). By encouraging insurers to offer low-cost policies that cover core benefits and by granting employers tax credits to help cover the cost of insurance, state legislators will ensure that health insurance is within reach for nearly all Oklahomans.
Lawmakers should also consider extending tax credits to folks who purchase insurance in the individual marketplace.
Allowing individuals to buy health insurance with pre-tax dollars — as businesses currently can for their employees — would make health coverage affordable for thousands more and help people keep their policies if they switch jobs.
Sally C. Pipes, San Francisco, Calif.
Editor’s note: Pipes is president and CEO of Pacific Research Institute
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.