Dole Pushing For Medical Savings Accounts

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, April 29) -- In an attempt to define the differences between Republicans and Democrats over health insurance reform, Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole wants to add a provision for medical savings accounts to a health insurance bill.

The accounts, which are currently available in about a dozen states, allow individuals to set aside money tax-free for routine medical bills. Also included are high-deductible insurance policies for medical catastrophes.

The Senate's version of the health insurance measure passed 100-0, but House and Senate negotiators still have to work out a final version of the legislation. The bill's main thrust is to help workers keep their health coverage if they change jobs or suffer from a pre-existing illness.

"Who could argue against providing additional choice and flexibility?" Dole, the GOP's presumptive presidential nominee, asked last week during a Senate debate. "The answer is the same people who thought that the best way to reform the health care system was to hand it over to the federal government."

Democrats say the accounts would be a tax break for the young and well-off and their use would increase premiums for regular insurance. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Deschle claims that Congress would be unable "to bring health care to this country" because they "were precluded from doing so because of the special interest legislation the Republicans were forcing upon this bill."

Republicans are not concerned with threats that President Clinton will veto the bill if the accounts are included. They believe a veto would hurt Clinton politically.

AllPolitics home page