Morrissette Seeks Health Care Savings for Working Families
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Ray Carter, House Media
Capitol: (405) 557-7421
Contact: State Rep. Richard Morrissette
Capitol: (405) 557-7404
Oklahoma City: (405) 634-7166
Morrissette Seeks Health Care Savings for Working Families
OKLAHOMA CITY (January 22, 2007) - In a move that could dramatically
improve health care coverage in Oklahoma, state Rep. Richard Morrissette
has filed legislation, House Bill 1888, to provide working families
similar tax benefits enjoyed by large corporations.
"In the spirit of President Bush's State of the Union address
tomorrow evening, I have filed a bill that will make the Oklahoma tax
code fairer for working men and women and their families by providing a
tax break for health care expenses such as in-patient hospital care,
prescription drugs, rehabilitative care and nursing home care," said
Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City. "These tax breaks are similar to those
already given large corporations and big businesses, who are now allowed
to deduct all types of expenses and have been allowed that right for
many years. Any tax code benefits should be applied broadly and fairly,
which House Bill 1888 does."
Under current law, businesses are allowed a tax break to offset
the cost of employee insurance. President George Bush is expected to
call for extending that break to individuals who buy their own insurance
during his State of the Union speech on Tuesday.
Morrissette said his bill would complement Bush's policy at the
state level.
House Bill 1888, by Morrissette, would allow Oklahomans to
deduct unreimbursed health care expenses from their taxes, including the
cost of hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription drugs,
rehabilitation treatment, nursing home care and home health care.
The deductions for all items except hospital visits and doctor
appointments would be capped at $20,000 per year, per item. The
deduction for hospital stays would be capped at $50,000 per year while
the deduction for prescription drugs would be capped at $2,000 per year.
"This bill will help the almost 600,000 people in Oklahoma that
presently do not have health insurance," Morrissette said. "I hope those
of us in the Legislature can act collectively, regardless of political
party, to help those families that need help the most. House Bill 1888
will go a long way in providing the health protection working families
desperately need."
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