According to the Associated Press’ Melinda DeSlatte, the 2010 state budget may include tax breaks on Louisiana health insurance. Representative Gary Smith has proposed giving tax credits to small businesses that provide their employees with employer-sponsored health insurance. He also wants to offer tax credits to people who pay for individual health insurance policies, which is predicted to cost over $130 in lost tax revenue in its first year. These proposals would expand access to health insurance.
While the state currently has a billion-dollar budget deficit and plans to make cuts to health care programs, Smith believes that the health insurance tax credits will save the state government money in the long term, since fewer people would be uninsured and have to use state-funded health care services. Melinda says that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has not yet expressed his opinion about this proposal but plans to make recommendations later this week.
While the state currently has a billion-dollar budget deficit and plans to make cuts to health care programs, Smith believes that the health insurance tax credits will save the state government money in the long term, since fewer people would be uninsured and have to use state-funded health care services. Melinda says that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has not yet expressed his opinion about this proposal but plans to make recommendations later this week.