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Electronic Letters to:

John Sheils and Randall Haught, The Cost Of Tax-Exempt Health Benefits In 2004, Health Affairs Web Exclusive, February 25, 2004 [Abstract] [PDF] [HTML Version][Related Paper] [Reprints & Permissions]

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Electronic letters published:

Tax Benefit Of Health Insurance: Leave It Alone

Charlene B. Jacobs   ( 5 August 2005 )

Destruction of America's Middle Class

Jeffery R. Hicks   ( 12 August 2005 )

Tax Benefit Of Health Insurance: Leave It Alone 5 August 2005
Charlene B. Jacobs, Office Administrator Send letter to journal: Re: Tax Benefit Of Health Insurance: Leave It Alone charj{at}nextransport.com Charlene B. Jacobs	This letter is in response to the possibility of stopping the tax benefit (pre-tax dollars) for health insurance purchased by and/or through the employer. I admit I don’t know all the facts, but at this point my opinion is - leave it alone. Any person in the U.S. who has insurance is a plus. Even with this tax allowance, I can hardly afford my prescriptions and doctor visits. I am under the understanding that a portion of what I pay helps to offset what others can’t pay when they go to the emergency room. If you take this benefit away, I know that many people will lose their coverage. It is very hard for most employers to be able to afford to offer this benefit even with the tax incentive. Take it away and you are creating a hardship. A lot of those people making $100,000.00 a year are helping those who don’t by paying for school supplies, clothing, prescriptions, groceries, and heating fuel. Cut out just one more thing like this and they won’t be able to help.
Destruction of America's Middle Class 12 August 2005
Jeffery R. Hicks, Controller NAEA Send letter to journal: Re: Destruction of America's Middle Class Controller{at}ackerstone.com Jeffery R. Hicks	Yes, another great idea from government representatives who do not have to live with the results of their fantastic "ideas." Certainly, let us continue in our unflagging efforts to crush the American middle class out of existence. Instead of thinking of ways to increase the tax burden, how about devoting some of this fantastic "expertise" to controlling spending? Let's start by having these government "representatives" of the people discontinue the retirement and tax policies they enjoy and live with what they make the public live with. We can begin by placing them on Social Security and refunding the dollars set aside for their retirement plan. Eliminating billions of dollars currently being spent in a war we will never win would more than replace what the government wants to raise by burdening the taxpayer more. The end result of this plan will be to increase the unaffordability of health insurance, and then even fewer people would have health insurance.