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Bill expands access to health insurance with tax credits, aid to states
 

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC05) today cosponsored the Improving Health Care for All Americans Act (H.R. 3218) a bill that will dramatically expand Americans’ access to health insurance. 

“Our healthcare system is in need of reform,” Foxx said. “This legislation addresses the serious gaps in health insurance coverage that exist for many families.  By creating tax credits for uninsured families and new Individual Membership Associations Congress will help make healthcare more affordable and portable.

“Congress can reform healthcare and make health insurance more affordable—and we can do it without a government takeover of healthcare.  This bill makes that much clear.  It focuses on preserving the patient-doctor relationship while removing barriers to affordable health insurance and keeping Washington bureaucrats out of the equation.”   

H.R. 3218 helps uninsured families get coverage through three different policy changes:  

• First, it creates a health insurance tax credit of up to $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families.  
• It also expands insurance options and access to health insurance by creating Individual Membership Associations (IMAs).  IMAs would expand insurance coverage by allowing groups like trade associations, churches and other civic groups to offer affordable insurance to their members.  
• Finally, H.R. 3218 provides federal incentives for states to create high risk insurance pools for Americans who have difficulty securing health insurance.  

Note: Foxx is also a cosponsor of H.R. 2607 which expands access to coverage for uninsured families by creating Associated Health Plans; H.R. 1118 which gives seniors more choices and control over Medicare enrollment; H.R. 1039 which promotes health information technology; H.R. 1086 which seeks to reduce healthcare costs through tort reform; and H.R. 2516 which lowers costs through a bevy of healthcare reforms.

Read more:
Op-ed: A Prescription for Patient-Centered Healthcare Reform