LETTERS

Vehicle surcharge could finance health insurance

Posted 11/6/13

To the Editor:

In the last month, it has become apparent that the United States government cannot provide affordable health care to its citizens. Having to use a poorly developed website to find a …

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LETTERS

Vehicle surcharge could finance health insurance

Posted

To the Editor:

In the last month, it has become apparent that the United States government cannot provide affordable health care to its citizens. Having to use a poorly developed website to find a suitable health care plan that would cost twice as much does not make sense. Rhode Island and the United States should go back to the system we had before Obamacare, where each state controlled the sale of health care insurance to their citizens.

If the price of health care insurance in Rhode Island could be reduced, most employers would be able to provide affordable health care insurance to their employees. This could happen if Rhode Island allowed all health care insurance companies to compete for business and provided funds to help cover the cost of pre-existing conditions and catastrophic health care problems.

Rhode Island could provide $50 million each year to help pay for pre-existing conditions and catastrophic health care problems by putting a $50 yearly surcharge on each vehicle liability insurance policy sold in the state. There are about a million covered vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, etc.) in Rhode Island. The federal government would be required to match these funds.

Next, computer technology would allow all health care insurance companies nationwide to submit a list of health care plans, prices and deductibles that they offer. Each employer would contribute $8,000 and each employee would contribute $3,000 each year to pay for the cost of the health care insurance plan chosen by each employee. Each employee would pay the additional cost of plans that are more expensive. Rhode Island and the federal government would share the employee cost of those employees below the poverty level and for those citizens that are unemployed. These citizens should get their health care from free and low-cost clinics.

Lastly, each employer and each employee would be allowed to deduct their health care expenses from their state and federal income tax liability.

If the cost of an average health care insurance policy were reduced by only $1,000, a company with 50 vehicles and 50 employees would pay $2,500,000 in surcharges and save $25,000 in health care insurance costs every year. Each individual would pay a $50 surcharge for each vehicle they own and save $500 each year on their health care insurance costs.

Kenneth Berwick

Smithfield

Comments

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  • davebarry109

    Stop taxing people...stop it. Stop it now.

    Thursday, November 7, 2013 Report this

  • Bob_Cushman

    The state already is allowing cities like Warwick to tax our vehicles on values that are based on a vehicle in mint condition. As aresult we are being over charged. I agree with dave barry - enough with all these taxes. Governments spending at all levels is out of control and destroying this country.

    Thursday, November 7, 2013 Report this

  • falina

    NO. MORE. TAXES.

    Thursday, November 7, 2013 Report this

  • falina

    How about we tax stupid ideas? Now THERE is a real moneymaker!!!!

    Thursday, November 7, 2013 Report this

  • JohnStark

    Let's get state government involved in a new tax scheme. What could possibly go wrong?

    Thursday, November 7, 2013 Report this

  • JohnStark

    It is not the responsibility of a) "the United States government or b) employers to provide health care to citizens. Citizens do not lack health care; though some lack health insurance. Here's a novel thought: Let those without insurance BUY IT in a similar manner as everyone else.

    Tuesday, November 12, 2013 Report this

  • Wuggly

    We pay taxes when we purchase a vehicle.

    We pay taxes when we put fuel into the vehicle.

    We pay taxes and hazardous materials fees when we change the oil, anti-freeze battery and tires.

    We pay taxes on repairs and parts for vehicles.

    As others said NO MORE TAXES.

    If you have a smart phone, you can pay for you own health insurance.

    If you can afford cable tv, you can pay for your own health insurance.

    If you can afford to eat out once every two weeks, you can pay for your own health insurance.

    Sunday, November 17, 2013 Report this