Health care policy is a sensitive issue that requires public input and must be thoroughly scrutinized during formulation. Every pertinent issue raised must be considered and adequately addressed. All the stakeholders must be involved since the policy affects the general public interest. This will ensure that every aspect has the public’s interest and curb the political class from manipulating it for their selfish interests. The policy must factor in the cost, convenience, and effectiveness of the provision of health care services.
The Alliance to Fight for Health Care is a coalition of stakeholders, including patients, healthcare companies, employer organizations, and unions supporting employer-provided health coverage. Due to public uproar regarding the attempt by the federal government to impose a tax on employer-provided health insurance, the organization decided to carry out an opinion poll to gather public views. They sought to know the public view on whether they support or oppose the introduction of a tax on the health insurance remitted by their employers. The poll was contacted among registered voters aged 21 and above; the results were released on June 26, 2022, showing that 87% of voters oppose the introduction of employer-provided health insurance (The Alliance to Fight for Health Care). These figures are crucial for any conversation that touches on the introduction of health insurance tax.
This poll gave the public an opportunity to air their views, which will define policy formulations and reforms in the health sector. The people have expressed dissatisfaction with any attempt to interfere with the employers’ contribution towards their health care. James Klein, president of the American Benefits Council, says the employers’ contribution to the health plan enables the federal government to channel additional resources to more vulnerable people (The Alliance to Fight for Health Care). The House of Representatives and the Senate should consider protecting the contributions to enhance affordable health coverage in their subsequent healthcare policy initiatives.
Work Cited
The Alliance to Fight for Health Care. “Public Opinion Strategies Poll: Nearly 90% of Voters Oppose Taxing Employer-Provided Health Insurance”. Fight for Health Care, 2022.