Tax News Update    Email this document    Print this document  

February 18, 2022
2022-0298

Education and Labor Subcommittee hearing on pathways to affordable, universal health coverage

On February 17, the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing entitled, "Exploring Pathways to Affordable, Universal Health Coverage." Democrats on the committee, along with Democratic witnesses, used the hearing to express concern with increased health care spending coupled with the underperformance of the health care system in comparison to lower-spending peer countries. They touted several options for reducing the cost of care and enhancing access to affordable coverage, such as extending enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies advanced during the pandemic, bolstering ACA protections around non-comprehensive coverage, and making other changes such as fixing the so-called "family glitch." Several members and witnesses expressed support for establishing a public option and/or moving to a single-payer, "Medicare for All" system, which they said could reduce waste and costs while increasing access to quality health care for all.

The Republican witness, Brian Blase, echoed concern with high prices but said they are driven by government involvement, excessive third-party payments, and consolidated health care markets. He also expressed support for policies advanced by the previous administration, including expanded coverage through Association Health Plans (AHPs), individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs), price transparency and other policies aimed at enhancing options for employers and consumers without new federal spending. Republicans on the committee echoed support for these policies and condemned the inflationary nature of expanded subsidies and other federal government spending, while expressing support for employer-provided coverage.

More information is available here.

Additional information is also available in the attached Tax Alert.

———————————————

Contact Information
For additional information concerning this Alert, please contact:
 
Washington Council Ernst & Young
   • Heather Meade (heather.meade@ey.com)
   • Laura Dillon (laura.dillon@ey.com)

———————————————
ATTACHMENT

Education and Labor hearing on universal health coverage

 

The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, accounting or tax advice or opinion provided by Ernst & Young LLP to the reader. The reader also is cautioned that this material may not be applicable to, or suitable for, the reader's specific circumstances or needs, and may require consideration of non-tax and other tax factors if any action is to be contemplated. The reader should contact his or her Ernst & Young LLP or other tax professional prior to taking any action based upon this information. Ernst & Young LLP assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or other factors that could affect the information contained herein.

 

Copyright © 1996 – 2024, Ernst & Young LLP

 

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, retransmitted or otherwise redistributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including by photocopying, facsimile transmission, recording, rekeying, or using any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Ernst & Young LLP.

 

EY US Tax News Update Master Agreement | EY Privacy Statement