Congressman Gus Bilirakis
7132 Little road
New Port Richey, Fl 34654
Dear, Congressman Bilirakis.
I would deeply implore you Sir, to
please pay close attention to a bill that may pass before your desk. At first
glance it may appear of little significance in a time of great trails in our
government. This bill is of great consequence to one of the most vulnerable
citizens of this the country, the orphans. Bill HR 1476 will be presented in
the House of Representatives on April, 10, 2013. This bill would amend the
current tax codes and allow citizens to withdraw from individual retirement
accounts for adoption expenses, up to $10,000 dollars without tax penalty.
Creating a family through adoption requires many upfront costs that birth
families do not encounter. The tax laws currently provide tax deductions after
the adoption. Because of this problem adoption is unattainable for many average
citizens.
Children without families use health
care system to include mental health services at three times the rate of other
children. Children that are raised in group homes without the support of
families often experience, homelessness, prison time, drug abuse, unemployment,
lack of secondary education and significant mental health problems, throughout
life. Scientific evidence supports, providing families for these children
decreases or eliminates all or some of these disparities. At this time there
are about 250,000 orphans, in the United States. These children are the future
of this country. By increasing the chance that these children are placed in
families the future tax burden they may place on society throughout life is
greatly decreased.
The average adoption
cost around $20,000 dollars. Children from foster care can often be adopted for
free but, the adoptive families must meet many regulations on their homes that
cost thousands of dollars and are not required for birth families. The $ 1,000
dollars that is saved with the removal of this tax penalty would help promote
adoption which, provides a life time of support and care for a child without a
family. This support is a protective barrier against challenges orphans face
and could save many future tax dollars in health care, mental health services,
unemployment and prison cost. Removing one more barrier to support a pillar
institution of this country, the family, is not only cost effective but, our
duty as Americans.
Sincerely,
