This morning Families USA, a progressive health care advocacy group out of Washington, issued a report called, "Lower Taxes, Lower Premiums: The New Health Insurance Tax Credit in Florida," which says that 1,962,600 people will be eligible for new tax cuts beginning in 2014 that will significantly reduce the cost of private health insurance for those individuals and families.
Ironically, the raw data that Families USA is relying on comes from the Lewin Group, a consulting firm whose research on the federal health care reform bill was widely cited by opponents of a public insurance option.
Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA. He said today that "This is the largest middle-income tax cut in history, and it will enable many hard-working Floridians to afford health insurance premiums that have stretched family budgets. The tax cut will not only put significant extra cash in Floridians’ pocketbooks, but it will also ease the burden of families’ growing health care costs."
Laurie Goodhue is with Florida CHAIN( Community Health Action Information Network), a statewide consumer health care advocacy organization.
“This report highlights the main benefits of the new health law, peace of mind for families and affordable coverage. New changes will make health insurance accessible for Floridians. It is comforting to know that there will be options and financial support to purchase coverage through tax credits and the exchange."
As has been extensively reported this campaign season, very few Democrats are campaigning about the benefits of the health care plan, as polls continue to show that more people view it unfavorably. Several House Democrats are campaigning against it, however.
This article appears in Sep 23-29, 2010.