The Committee on Ways and Means released proposed legislation titled the American Health Care Act in an effort to provide anticipated changes to the present Health Care Law. The legislation includes recommendations to repeal many taxes and penalties under the Affordable Care Act (such as health insurer tax, tanning bed tax, employer mandate penalty under IRC 4980H, individual mandate penalty, and the Cadillac Tax to name a few).

Additionally, the following changes are highlights from the proposed legislation:

• Repeal of premium tax credits, as well as small business tax credit beginning in 2020

• Repeal of the limit on FSA contributions beginning for years after December 2017

• Increase in HSA contribution limits to align with the maximum out of pocket costs and deductible amounts for High Deductible Health Plans

• Repeal of the additional 0.9% Medicare tax increase under ACA, beginning in 2018

• Creation of an advanceable, refundable tax credit for purchase of medical insurance when no employer or government insurance is available in amounts as follows:

  • Under age 30: $2,000

  • Between 30 and 39: $2,500

  • Between 40 and 49: $3,000

  • Between 50 and 59: $3,500

  • Over age 60: $4,000

The legislation is still in proposed form at this time. Additionally, none of the proposed changes take place immediately, so employers should not make any changes to their current benefit programs in anticipation of this legislation.

To view the complete text of the Committee report, click here.