Tax-Free Health Care Accounts Begin Jan.

[missile_bender]

From AP

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MEDICARE_TAXES?SITE=FLDAY&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

By MARK SHERMAN
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration advertised new tax-free health savings accounts, which will be available beginning next week, as a way for Americans to gain greater control of health-care spending.

To escape taxation on both contributions and withdrawals, dollars set aside in the accounts must be spent for medical expenses.

.....

However, guidance issued Monday by the Treasury Department limits eligibility for the special savings accounts to people who have health insurance policies with annual deductibles - the amount paid to cover expenses before benefits begin - of at least $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for families. In addition, Americans 65 years and older cannot open the new health accounts.

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OK. A few things wrong with this "health care voucher program". First, we don't need no stinkin' government-sanctioned account to do this. If folks can put this money away, they don't need the government in the middle of it. This is like a Christmas savings account. Why do you need a separate one? Simply make health care expenses (including monthly insurance premiums) tax-free.

Second, this is just a way to get people used to these private programs so that the War Party can introduce such systems to replace Medicare and Social Security.

Third, employers are cutting benefits in the face of high unemployment, they won't pay into this.

Fourth, Bush sucks.

http://www.unembedded.com