Heinrich: Repeal Excise Tax on Middle-Class Health Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) introduced bipartisan legislation to fully repeal a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) known as the “Cadillac Tax,” which taxes high-cost health insurance plans. The senators' legislation is a companion to U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney's (D-Conn.-02) legislation. Beginning in 2018, the “Cadillac Tax” would tax employers whose health insurance plans cost more than $10,200 a year for individuals and $27,450 a year for families at 40 percent of the cost above those limits. 

"Doing away with this onerous tax on employees' health coverage before it goes into effect will protect important benefits for workers and ensure businesses and families get a fair deal. I'm proud to join Senator Heller and Congressman Courtney in leading this bipartisan effort to ensure millions of middle-class families who rely on employer-based health care aren't unfairly penalized because of this tax," said Sen. Heinrich.

"The reality is that in 2018, middle-class Americans will face a costly healthcare tax, the ‘Cadillac Tax.' Imposing a devastating tax on the 1.3 million Nevadans receiving employer-sponsored health insurance is a terrible idea. Hardworking Nevadans employed in the restaurant and tourism industry, to public employees, to small business owners, and retirees will all face the effects of the ‘Cadillac Tax. This tax will reduce benefits, increase costs of premiums and deductibles, and limit healthcare choices for Nevadans. That's why it must be repealed. I'd like to thank my colleague Senator Martin Heinrich and my friend Congressman Joe Courtney for their leadership in helping to solve this problem. My hope is that reasonable Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle will join us in this important, bipartisan endeavor to protect middle-class Americans," said Sen. Heller.

"The impacts of the excise tax are becoming clearer as businesses, workers, and municipalities grapple with benefits planning today in advance of the 2018 deadline. Actuaries and experts have concluded that the tax will unfairly target older workers, women, and families in expensive geographic areas-decreasing the quality of their benefits and raising out-of-pocket costs. Since I introduced H.R. 2050 in April, the massive, unified response from business, labor, and health care advocates has shown that this issue has a life of its own, and the opposition to this tax will grow louder as more people understand the extent of its impact.  I am grateful to Senator Heller and Senator Heinrich for their leadership in the Senate, and look forward to working together with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol to push this effort across the finish line," said Rep. Courtney.

"Workers and employers shouldn't be punished for having decent health care. There are plenty of tax breaks in our system that help the rich. Why would we punish middle class and low income workers simply for going to work in a job with health coverage?" said American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) New Mexico Council 18 President Casey Padilla.