Rudy Giuliani on Health Care

Giuliani is basing his campaign on "12 commitments." Two of them focus on health issues: One is a pledge to give "Americans more control over and access to health care with affordable and portable free-market solutions." He also pledges to "increase adoptions, decrease abortions, and protect the quality of life for our children."

Health Insurance: Private/Government

• Giuliani proposes "free-market solutions" to health care problems.
• Set a tax deduction up to $15,000 for working or self-employed couples ($7,500 for singles) not receiving medical insurance from employers.
• Offer consumers a choice to buy health insurance covering major costs while leaving decisions about minor expenses to the consumer, comparable to auto insurance.
• Develop a new health insurance credit, much like the earned income tax credit, for low-income individuals and families to purchase insurance.
• Allow consumers to keep their current coverage, if they want.
• Allow consumers to buy insurance out of state to receive more affordable coverage.

Medical Costs

• Encourage price transparency, providing comparative data on costs to patients, providers, and insurers.

Health Savings Accounts

• Expand access to health savings accounts, which enable people to save money tax free to use on health care costs.
• Establish tax-free health savings account up to $15,000 (for money not spent on insurance) for families ($7,500 for singles)

Drugs: Costs/Importation

• Streamline FDA-approval procedures for new drugs to ensure "that government regulation does not delay new cures or needlessly cost lives."