Opinion
Tax incentives for physicians would be effective in providing care for indigent
LETTER — Posted Oct. 25, 2004
Tax credits or vouchers will work in the effort to provide health care for the indigent. The physician that provides the service should receive a credit for each balance that he would otherwise write off. A tax break can be a meaningful incentive where little currently exists. If states feel they must regulate this, they can provide vouchers much like food stamps that the physician may accumulate and apply as a loss when filing income tax.
The humanitarian obligation is not exclusive to our profession. There will always be poor, and their needs will be great. The goal of "health care for all" is admirable, but reeks of socialism. In our otherwise capitalistic society, a provider (of any service) must enjoy some compensation for his efforts in order to continue providing that service.
David Rankin, DO, Winchester, Va.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/10/25/edlt1025.htm.
