House+Bill+2626

=Comprehensive HealthCARE Act of 2007= House Bill #2626** = = The Comprehensive HealthCARE Act was introduced to the House of Representatives by Republican Tom Price of Georgia, a former doctor known for introducing health-related legislation. It is designed to help encourage citizens to get health insurance at a time when many are reluctant to do so.
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The cause of many people's reluctance is the high and rising cost of healthcare. The National Coalition on Health Care reports that in 2007, total national healthcare spending was $2.3 trillion, or $7,600 per person, and spending for 2008 was expected to rise 6.9%, [|at twice the rate of inflation]. Annual premiums for an employer health care plan covering a family averaged over $12,100, and this cost is likely to increase; between 2000 and 2007 employer healthcare premiums rose by 100%. A Harvard study found that 50% of bankrupcy filings were related to health insurance. Many Americans are struggling with health insurance, but many more are afraid to even attempt to bear the burden of paying for health care. This is of course hazardous, hence Tom Price's bill.



The bill will create incentives for encouraging health insurance coverage. Employers who only contribute to the health care plans of those using group health care will be taxed, so that those using separate, possibly cheaper health care are likely to still get contributions from their jobs. The bill makes sure that the agreements made between doctors and insurance providers are fair, so that doctors do not have to limit their resources for specific patients who cannot afford what their health care plan will not provide for. It will be mandated that health care plans apply even when one leaves their home state. A very important part of the bill is the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Health Care Act, or HEALTH Act. It helps insurance become affordable for everyone. The Comprehensive HealthCARE Act also helps the uninsured get good health care. It gives a tax deduction for the cost of providing for uninsured patients in emergency rooms. Doctors are made lilable to civil lawsuits.

This bill will affect financially struggling citizens who do not qualify for Medicaid, because they will be encouraged to get health insurance despite their financial difficulties. Those without insurance will see improvement in their care. Taxpayers will not object to this bill's becoming law, because it does not place a very heavy financial burden on the government. Doctors will have the means to give good health care to uninsured patients.

“Biography of Tom Price.” Congressman Tom Price. 8 Dec. 2008 .
 * Bibliography**

National Coalition on Health Care. “Health Insurance Costs.” www.nchc.org. 1970. 8 Dec. 2008 .

“HR 2626.” Congress Link. 10 Dec. 2008 .