The more I read about President Bush’s plans to change the tax code to encourage people to purchase their own insurance, the more I feel the need to scream, “BULLSHIT!”  The president is under the delusion that a lot of us hard-working Americans have “‘gold-plated, deluxe’ health insurance” which encourages us to over-use our insurance and drive up the cost for everyone else.  Well, the president and members of Congress may have so-called “gold-pated” insurance but the rest of us sure as hell don’t.  What a complete load of crap. 

Under this plan, employer-provided health insurance would become income subject to payroll taxes, which I’m sure would be a thrill to employers would have to pay their portion of FICA and Medicare on that income.  Granted,  it also creates a standard deduction and only coverage in excess of that amount would be subject to tax, but the problem is that many people cannot afford to go out and pay for insurance on their own.  Too many people depend on employer-provided insurance for themselves and the deep discounts employers can negotiate for spouse and dependent coverage.  Even with a tax break, I don’t see how lower-paid employees could afford to buy coverage and still put food on the table and clothes on the backs of their children.  What they will be forced to do is skip insurance or purchase a plan with fewer benefits and higher deductibles.