WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America's Health
Insurance Plans (AHIP) President and CEO Karen Ignagni made the following
statement regarding the health care agenda outlined in President Bush's
State of the Union address tonight:
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040830/AHIPLOGO )
"We strongly support a level playing field in which individuals can
purchase health care coverage with pre-tax dollars. Currently the tax code
fails to assist individuals unless they spend in excess of 7.5 percent of
their adjusted gross income on health care. Enacting common-sense tax
incentives for individuals will go a long way toward helping millions
secure and maintain the coverage they need.
"This plan also recognizes that states are an essential partner in any
program to cover the uninsured. Federal incentives that provide a helping
hand to states that tackle this problem are a great way to spur progress.
This effort can also encourage states to re-examine costly mandates that
limit health plans' ability to offer more affordable coverage options to
consumers and employers.
"Momentum is building to begin expanding access this year. The
President has put forth a bold vision. Leaders in Congress are also
thinking big. Now is the time to jumpstart this discussion and we look
forward to working with the Administration and the Congress on this issue."
More Information on Expanding Access to Health Care Coverage
AHIP's Board of Directors last November issued A Vision for Reform, a
reform plan designed to give all Americans access to affordable health care
coverage. For more information please visit http://www.ahipbelieves.com.
AHIP is also a member of the Health Coverage Coalition for the
Uninsured and strongly supports its new plan to cover the uninsured. For
more information please visit http://www.coalitionfortheuninsured.org.
SOURCE America's Health Insurance Plans
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Related links:
http://www.ahip.org
http://www.ahipbelieves.com
http://www.coalitionfortheuninsured.org
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040830/AHIPLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk
photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Mohit Ghose of America's Health Insurance
Plans, +1-202-778-8494
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