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This week in Congress, my colleagues and I debated several healthcare
issues on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. We also
recognized the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
and the 40th anniversary of both Medicare and Medicaid. Now more
than ever, healthcare costs are skyrocketing, and healthcare concerns continue
to be at the forefront of debate in the United States Congress.
In an effort to curb the rising costs of healthcare, my Republican colleague
Melissa Hart of Pennsylvania’s Fourth Congressional District, and I introduced
bipartisan legislation entitled, “OTC Medicine Tax Fairness Act.”
This legislation would make certain over-the-counter medications eligible
for a tax deduction. Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Senator Bill Nelson
(D-FL) introduced companion bipartisan legislation in the Senate.
The current Internal Revenue Service (IRS) law enables a household to
deduct certain medical expenses that are not covered by health insurance
when the costs rise above 7.5% of a household’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
The code allows the cost of drugs to be included in the deduction, but
only prescription drugs, and insulin. The code also allows the deduction
of acupuncture, bandages, chiropractic care, contact lenses, hearing aids,
crutches, and lab fees. The OTC Medicine Tax Fairness Act would build
upon the current law to also include certain over-the-counter medications
such as antacids, allergy medicines, pain relievers and smoking cessation
products.
By providing an additional avenue for low to middle-income citizens
to save money on their everyday medical expenses, this legislation would
enable hard working American families to have access to affordable assistance
in trying to maintain and control their health conditions. Ailments
such as asthma, migraines, and allergies, if left untreated, can lead to
expensive and unnecessary doctor and hospital visits. It is a true
hardship on low to middle-income families when a drug like Claritin, commonplace
in its referral for severe allergies, makes the switch to over-the-counter
status, and health insurance companies no longer cover that drug.
Americans with access to Health Savings Plans and Flex Spending Accounts
are afforded a tax break for over the counter drugs. This benefit should
be extended to all Americans. This is America and we must do better.
As your Representative in the United States House of Representatives,
healthcare continues to be a top priority of mine in the United States
Congress. I will continue to fight for hard working Americans in
my efforts to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all citizens. |
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