Press Releases
October 25, 2019

BETTER MEDICARE ALLIANCE, MORE THAN 45 CONSUMER GROUPS TELL CONGRESS: STOP THE HIT!

Health care leaders rally around bipartisan legislation providing two- year delay of the multi-billion dollar Health Insurance Tax (HIT)

Washington, D.C. – Better Medicare Alliance (BMA), the leading advocacy coalition for Medicare Advantage, convened more than 45 consumer groups and health care stakeholders on a letter to Congressional leadership urging the delay of the multi-billion-dollar Health Insurance Tax (HIT).

Suspended by Congress in 2017 and 2019, the HIT is set to take effect on January 1, 2020, barring Congressional action. The tax could impact patients’ health costs by up to $20 billion upon its return.

In a letter, BMA and supporting organizations note the HIT’s unique threat to the more than 22 million seniors and disabled individuals enrolled in Medicare Advantage, explaining: “Medicare Advantage has the opportunity to do even more for individuals with chronic conditions with new flexibility starting in 2020 to provide care and services to meet social needs that impact health for the chronically ill … however, the return of the HIT may cause uncertainty and possibly disrupt the ability for plans to … ensure these services are widely available to eligible, high-need beneficiaries.”

BMA and its cosigners are urging Congressional leadership to enact the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 1398/S. 172), bipartisan legislation co- sponsored by nearly one-third of each chamber of Congress to delay the HIT for two years, thereby staving off cost increases for seniors and providing peace of mind to patients who depend on Medicare Advantage’s protections, including the more than half of enrollees who live on less than $24,000 annually.

“In a divided Congress, this legislation has wide bipartisan support,” remarked Allyson Y. Schwartz, President and CEO of the Better Medicare Alliance. “This is an immediate answer to consumers’ deep concerns about the affordability of health coverage. Passage of the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act would provide financial security to our most vulnerable beneficiaries who are counting on Washington to take action.”

See a BMA fact sheet on the HIT here.

BMA’s letter to Congressional leadership is also signed by:

American Physical Therapy Association

Area Agency on Aging Palm Beach / Treasure Coast, Inc. Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness

ChenMed

Coalition of Texans with Disabilities

Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey

ConcertoHealth

Connecticut Association of Health Underwriters

Consumer Action

Council for Affordable Health Coverage

Direct Primary Care Coalition

Einstein Healthcare Network

Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health

Healthcare Leadership Council

Health Partners Plans

International Council on Active Aging

Iora Health

Landmark Health

MANNA

Martin’s Point Health Care

Meals on Wheels America

National Adult Day Services Association

National Association of Dental Plans

National Association of Health Underwriters

National Association of Hispanic Nurses

National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs

National Hispanic Council on Aging

National Hispanic Medical Association

National Medical Association

National Minority Quality Forum

New Jersey State Nurses Association

Northwell Health

Nurse Practitioner Association New York State

Oak Street Health

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

Pittsburgh Business Group on Health

Population Health Alliance

Prevea Health

Public Sector Healthcare Roundtable

SilverSneakers by Tivity

SNP Alliance

SSM Health

Summa Health System (Ohio)

Teachers’ Retirement System of Kentucky

The Latino Coalition

UPMC

Visiting Nurse Service of New York

 

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