Small Steps for Health Care Reform by the House Ways and Means Committee
One year ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a substantial health care reform bill. (here) The U.S. Senate was unable to do the same and consequently, major health care reform died. The 2017 tax reform legislation, however, did include a repeal of the tax on the Obamacare individual mandate. A lawsuit is now working its way through the courts that would make the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional based on the repeal of this tax. (here)
This past week, the House Ways and Means Committee passed multiple bills that would allow more patient control and less government intervention in our health care system. (here)
The bills would allow larger contributions to and more uses of health savings accounts; an elimination of the ACA employer mandate going back to 2014 and continuing until 2019; and a further delay of the “Cadillac tax.”
It is unclear whether the U.S. Senate will consider similar legislation.
It is highly unlikely in this 2018 election year that Congress will address major health care reform. The Ways and Means bills are a start and deserve a vote by the entire House membership as well as consideration by the Senate.