Change in tax code could help health care reform

Richard Rychtarik, Las Vegas

Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010 | 2:03 a.m.

To walk the straight and narrow, Obamacare may need a spinal realignment from our congressional practitioners.

Taxpayers who have substantial health care costs, including health care premium costs, can obtain some financial relief under the U.S. personal income tax code. So perhaps the proposed $750 charge to those who refuse to purchase health care coverage could have been implemented in a less controversial way via the same tax codes.

This requirement could have been incorporated as a federal income tax surcharge whereby people would be assessed an annual tax of $750. Those with health care coverage would then be granted a $750 per-person tax credit. Those without proof of coverage would need to pay the additional $750 federal income tax. If they don’t have sufficient taxable income, an alternative for health care coverage could be provided or a hardship exemption granted.

In such a way, purchasing health care coverage is not mandated but paying your federal income tax is not only required but it is also constitutionally protected. Who knows; maybe this can work without conflict whereas this portion of the current health plan is under judicial siege.