Empowering Health Care: Reps. Steube and Webster Unveil the GAME-CHANGING HEALTH Act

WASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) have introduced the Helping Everyone Access Long Term Healthcare (HEALTH) Act. This bill aims to create a tax deduction for doctors who offer charity care to low-income patients covered by CHIP and Medicaid.

“We are fortunate to have so many doctors committed to giving back to their communities,” said Rep. Steube. “The HEALTH Act recognizes their efforts by offering a tax deduction for the charity care they provide to families in need. This will not only show our support but also help more families access quality healthcare.”

Rep. Webster added, “This bill helps Americans get the care they need from the doctors they choose, at a price they can afford. The HEALTH Act provides an innovative way to expand healthcare services to low-income families while also potentially saving costs for Medicaid and CHIP programs.”

The legislation has backing from the Association of Mature American Citizens. Rebecca Weber, Chairwoman of AMAC Action, expressed support, saying, “This policy allows physicians to deduct the costs of their pro bono care for eligible patients. It provides timely primary care and eases the burden on emergency rooms, fostering better community care.”

The HEALTH Act specifically creates a tax benefit for medical professionals who provide charity services to eligible patients. However, certain procedures, like sex reassignment surgeries and hormone treatments, are excluded from this benefit.

This approach comes at a crucial time. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation highlights that over 20 million Americans depend on Medicaid and CHIP for healthcare access. Yet, many still face barriers in receiving timely and effective care. By incentivizing doctors to provide charity care, the HEALTH Act could play a significant role in addressing these challenges.

Additionally, social media conversations around healthcare access are increasingly prominent, with hashtags like #HealthcareForAll gaining traction. Users share personal stories of both struggles and successes in accessing healthcare, highlighting the real need for reforms like the HEALTH Act.

For more details, you can read the full bill text Source link