The New Millennium Classrooms Act, a key provision from Santorum's Community Renewal bill, would increase the number of computers donated to elementary and secondary schools in economically disadvantaged areas by extending and expanding current enhanced tax deductions. Similar to Santorum's Community Renewal bill, H.R. 2614 will create 40 Renewal Communities and 9 new Empowerment Zones with targeted, pro-growth tax benefits, regulatory relief, and homeownership opportunities. In addition, benefits would be increased to existing Empowerment Zones in cities such as Philadelphia. Communities would be chosen for Renewal Community status based on their poverty rate and commitment to reducing local regulations, zoning restrictions and tax rates. H.R. 2614 would also allow faith-based substance abuse treatment programs to apply for and receive federal assistance without discrimination based on the religious character of the program.
Beneficiaries maintain the right to an alternative option.
A new markets tax credit would also be established for equity investments in qualified community development entities. Many health plans across Pennsylvania have announced that they will either scale back or discontinue coverage to many Pennsylvania communities, largely due to inadequate government payment rates and restrictive regulatory burdens. This measure was offered by Santorum earlier this year as an amendment to S. 1344, the Patient Bill of Rights. H.R. 2614 also includes a tax deduction for payment of medical insurance premiums for individuals not participating in an employer sponsored medical plan, as well as for long-term care insurance, regardless of whether or not the taxpayer chooses to itemize their tax return. Santorum introduced the first MSA bill in Congress in 1991, and was instrumental in getting MSAs first enacted into law as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.