Press Releases
Congressman Young Votes in Support of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006
Washington, D.C.,
December 6, 2006
Alaska Congressman Don Young voted today in support of H.R. 6111, the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006. This bill extends through 2007 tax provisions which either expired at the end of 2005 or will expire at the end of 2006. This bill passed by a vote of 367 to 45. "I am pleased that in the final hours of the 109th Congress, we were able to produce legislation that is good for Alaska and this Nation," said Congressman Young after a late afternoon vote. "This bill includes energy provisions and tax credits that will benefit Alaska. Also, there are some crucial Medicare issues that this bill addresses. I am pleased that we have been able to come to an agreement and avoid additional cuts to the physician reimbursement rates. Had the projected payment cuts happened, it would have destabilized the Medicare program in Alaska and put all patients’ access to health care at risk." "This is only a temporary fix and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues during the 110th Congress as we attempt to reform the Medicare physician payment system. Not having a reliable payment system is causing our doctors to retire early and/or turn away Medicare patients. Alaskans are finding it more difficult each day to find a physician who will treat them and this is unacceptable. If we cannot figure out a better system for reimbursing our doctors, we will be faced with a major crisis a year from now. " Medicare Highlights in H.R. 6111 The most important for Alaskans is the freezing of payments for physicians. Without this provision, doctors were going to see a 5.1% cut for 2007 which would have been disastrous for Alaska. Includes a 1.6% increase for payments for dialysis services. Ensures patient access to necessary physical, occupational and speech language therapy. Ensures access to vaccines.
"This bill contains a number of tax provisions that will greatly help Alaskans and I am pleased that the house was able to act on them and extend them through 2007. Tax Highlights in H.R. 6111 Mine Safety Tax Incentives. Modifications of the mortgage revenue bond rules to make affordable mortgages more accessible to veterans. Above the line deductions for higher education expenses. Above the line deduction for out of pocket teacher classroom expenses Contains a package of provisions designed to improve Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). "Expanding our domestic energy supply is a step in the right direction for American energy independence. Although this bill dose not provide for ANWR language, this is a good step toward recognizing and understanding the need for domestic energy independence. Energy provisions in H.R. 6111 Exploration of the Outer Continental Shelf. Modification of the clean coal gasification tax credit. Extension of credit for new energy efficient homes. Extension of deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings.
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