The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
House bill would allow tax incentive Legislation proposes deductions for physicians who volunteer at free clinic
A bill introduced in the Ohio House would provide tax incentive for physicians who volunteer at free clinic or medical mission organizations.
The bill recently introduced by Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, would allow for personal income tax deductions to physicians for a six-year period based on the number of hours they provide uncompensated medical services through hospitals, free clinics or nongovernmental medical organizations. This includes non-profit medical organizations that support victims of natural disasters or armed conflicts.
About 2,000 physicians provided 35,000 volunteer hours last year, Young said.
“Ohio physicians give whatever is necessary to care for those who do not have the means at hand to care for themselves and for the most part doctors have been willing to shoulder the load,” Young said. “This legislation gives them an added incentive to care for the poor and serves as recognition of their efforts from an appreciative society.”
Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Free Clinics Deborah Miller said there are more than 600,000 under and uninsured Ohio residents.
“We don’t know at this time what changes there will be in the health care industry, but we do know that the number of uninsured and under-insured will not go down,” she said.
Lake County Free Clinic Executive Director Johanna Henz said there are more than 16,000 people without insurance in Young’s district alone — even after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
“This bill will help free clinics all across the state augment the number of volunteer physicians available to see patients — and the impact that will have on those who struggle with finding care they can afford will be incredible.”