But Democrats consider the GOP tax breaks excessive and misguided. A conference committee convened earlier this month to reconcile the differences between the health-care reform bills passed last year by the House and Senate. The legislation is primarily aimed at expanding the rights and protections of individuals in managed-care plans, a top priority of the Clinton Administration. But the House and Senate bills also contain major tax provisions. But Democrats consider the tax breaks excessive and misguided.
Republicans say the tax provisions are intended to make health care more affordable and a ccessible.
They have nothing to do with increasing access to health care. Here is a brief rundown of the tax provisions. The biggest tax break proposed by the House would create a special deduction for taxpayers who personally pay at least 50 percent of their health coverage costs. The measure is intended to help individuals who are forced to buy their own health coverage. Initially, the proposal would allow 25 percent of health-insurance premiums to be deducted.