Opinion

Tax credit plan not market-based

LETTER — Posted July 12, 2004

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Regarding "Tax credits are best approach for uninsured" (Editorial, June 14): Your call for tax credits as a way to cover the uninsured laughably demonstrates an inept grasp of economics and human behavior.

Your call for "refundable" tax credits for those not paying taxes is not only pure Orwellian doublespeak, but also inappropriate tax policy meddling disguised as health advocacy. You state that "demand would drive the creation of new options." These would be paid for by others -- which will lead to further unrestricted demand and worsening price inflation.

We have more uninsured because of inflation in health care costs, caused by government involvement. Your solution only adds more government and will be anything but "market-based."

Pat Conrad, MD, Destin, Fla.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/07/12/edlt0712.htm.

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