Washington, D.C.-   Today, Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA-03) proposed landmark changes to simplify both the health care system, and the national tax code, making them more effective and affordable for all Americans.  Congressman Baird's ideas were first published in a column in the Seattle Times. 

Click here to read the column.

Click here to read some frequently asked questions about Congressman Baird's proposal.

"The current health care proposals try to modify multiple programs, each of which was designed to remedy problems left or created by what came before, but each of which created its own new laws, bureaucracy and headaches.  This complexity adds to the confusion and to the costs, but it does not improve health care," said Congressman Baird. "Instead of duct taping the problems, and locking us into a poorly structured system, we need to explore new ideas that will create real, lasting reform."

Under Congressman Baird's proposal, anyone happy with their current private health insurance can keep what they have.  Government run health care programs (Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, etc.) on the federal, state and local level, would be replaced with a single program, open to all Americans in need.  Eligibility would be based on a means test.  The Veterans Administration would continue to operate as is. 

"The web of programs created over the past 100 years has created as much confusion as results," said Congressman Baird.  "We need a single program, that is means tested, which will assure that every American in need has access to affordable, quality medical care."

Baird's proposal calls for basic prepaid health care that would provide routine medical, dental, vision and mental-health care with no insurance forms. Catastrophic insurance would then cover high-cost occurrences plus long-term care. Individuals could choose for-profit or not-for-profit plans that are state, regional or national, but coverage would be mandatory. A national commission would assure financial soundness and quality of care for cross state plans.

Congressman Baird is also calling for the elimination of federal income and payroll taxes, to be replaced by a progressive national sales tax.  Under the system, the tax rate would increase with the cost of the purchase; there would be a price indexed exemption for the purchase of a primary residence.   Capital gains and the estate tax would also be reformed.

"Any discussion of real health reform should ideally be done in the context of remaking the federal tax code," said Congressman Baird.  "At 21,000 pages and counting, the tax code as a whole is the most confusing and inefficient system ever devised.  We can do better.  By adopting both health care and tax reform together, we will enact real reform that will benefit every American, and set our nation on a fiscally responsible course that will better manage the deficit and debt.  This plan offers a cure, instead of only treating the symptoms of one of the longest standing and most debilitating of all government ailments."

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