Robert Berry: “my motion makes the following two important changes: It strikes the Medical Savings Account provision from the…”

“my motion makes the following two important changes: It strikes the Medical Savings Account provision from the Republican bill, saving billions of dollars a year. The money saved in the MSA will be used to accelerate the health insurance deduction for the self-employed. This helps small businessmen by increasing the deduction for expenditures on health insurance to 60 percent in the next 3 years, 70 percent in the year 2002, and 100 percent thereafter. The current deduction is 45 percent and will not increase to 100 percent until the year 2006. It amends the Republican bill by putting the decision of 'medical necessity' back in the hands of doctors. The new language allows for the doctor and the patient, not the insurance companies, to determine the proper care and treatment for the patient. It also makes sure the care they receive is consistent with good medical practice, not insurance profits. The Republican version leaves this decision up to the insurance companies. The Republican bill would create a system where the insurance company would win every time. The deck is stacked against the patients before they even get in to see their doctor.”