Practical proposals are a powerful step in the right direction
Atlanta Journal Constitution
February 21, 2008
By NEWT GINGRICH
 
The Georgia Uninsured Working Group has proposed a series of reforms that could help an estimated 500,000 currently uninsured Georgians purchase health insurance.
 
That set of changes would cover one-third of all the uninsured in Georgia.
 
It would be a big step forward and would be the first building block toward ultimately covering every Georgian with health insurance.
 
Gov. Sonny Perdue deserves a lot of credit for encouraging and supporting this kind of sound, practical and doable reform.
 
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution editorial board apparently dislikes the plan because it is incremental and it is market-oriented ("Pale attempt at a fix" @issue Feb. 8 ).
 
Why would they prefer to do nothing and leave 500,000 Georgians uninsured? Do they seriously believe this legislature will pass a utopian big-government, big-tax-increase solution? Since that won't happen, why not take the first steps and help a half million people now?
 
Why are they opposed to market-oriented solutions if they work?
 
We should be seeking the most practical, common-sense and affordable health insurance system so every Georgian can buy health insurance at an affordable cost.
 
This proposal is a powerful step in the right direction. It ought to be passed by the Legislature as rapidly as possible. Here is how it would work:
 
• It eliminates unnecessary and hidden taxes imposed on the purchase of insurance that only drives up premiums and increases the numbers of those unable to afford coverage.
 
• It allows financial rewards and incentives for preventive care, if healthy, and compliance incentives with physician-established treatment plans, if ill.
 
• It encourages more flexible plan designs to better meet the insurance needs of individuals.
 
• It provides expanded use of tax-advantage accounts that will encourage employers to contribute toward the purchase of individually owned policies for many working poor.
 
• It provides a $250 tax credit per enrolled employee to encourage small businesses to provide health insurance, where now more than 65 percent do not offer insurance.

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