October 6, 2010

HHS Uses Adoption Tax Credits to Sway Voters on Obamacare



      Tax Credits

In an effort to improve the public's perception of President Obama's Affordable Healthcare Act, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services hosted a live webcast today, featuring two families who have benefitted from the Adoption Tax Credit.

The Small Business and Jobs Act of 1996 was the first to introduce the tax credit.  In 2001, the tax credit was raised to $10,000. By 2009, the credit was at $12,150, but was set to end in December.

The new health care law extended the tax credit and increased the full value of the adoption tax credit to $13,170.

The credit is fully refundable, regardless of income. That means all families can access the full value of the credit if they have "necessary qualifying expenses," even if they owe no tax for that year.

Ashley Horne, federal analyst for CitizenLink, said that the adoption tax credit is a small glimmer of good in an otherwise very bad health care law. "We applaud Congress for increasing and extending the tax credit for adoptive couples through 2011 and genuinely hope the credit will encourage more married moms and dads to take the step of giving a loving home to a child in need."

Carrie Gordon Earll, senior bioethics analyst for CitizenLink, also applauds the extension of tax credits for adopting families, but notes, "the vehicle used contains elements that funds abortion and penalizes marriage."

Source: CitizenLink
Date Published: October 5, 2010