Creating Health Policy Through the Tax Code
BEYOND EFFICIENCY, Forthcoming
28 Pages Posted: 24 Oct 2010
Date Written: October 21, 2010
Abstract
This book chapter examines the intersection between health and tax policy. To do so, it first reviews the history of how the United States’ health care system was shaped, in large part, by tax policy definitions of what to “exclude” from our income. The advantages and disadvantages of the employer-based model that resulted from these tax policy decisions are discussed. Then, the chapter moves to examine how health and tax policy are intertwined as legislators decide what to “tax,” both with regard to institutions such as hospitals and items, such as snack food and sodas. Finally, the chapter considers recent health reform initiatives and the tax and policy implications of the 2010 health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Keywords: health policy, federal health reform, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
JEL Classification: K10
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation