This is the text of an e-mail I received from Barbara Boxer's office (since I have written to her in the past, I am on one of her distribution lists...lol). It is an interesting missive, especially when one considers her ties to HillaryCare, and her opposition to almost any tax cuts.
Dear Friend:
Many California families are struggling to make ends meet.
Working families often pay more and more every year as health
insurance premiums continue to rise. I recently introduced
legislation that would help struggling families with increasing
health insurance costs.
My "Health Insurance Tax Relief Act" would provide individuals
with up to a $2000 yearly tax deduction to help cover the costs
of health insurance. This would make health insurance premiums
more affordable for families and individuals who currently have
insurance and would help families who do not have coverage to
pay for it.
Currently, those who are self-employed can take a deduction for
the cost of health insurance. Additionally, it is possible
under current law to deduct health care costs, but only if the
costs exceed 7.5 percent of income—a high threshold that many
struggling families do not meet.
The deduction in my bill would be allowed for insurance costs
that individuals pay, whether it is their share of the cost of
insurance they receive through their employer or the cost of
insurance when they buy it on their own. This deduction would
be available to all taxpayers, even if they do not itemize
deductions.
If you have any questions or would like more information about
this matter, I invite you to visit my Senate website at
http://boxer.senate.gov . There, you can learn more about my
work in the Senate and send a message to me at
http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm .
posted on June 06, 2003 10:31 AM
