December 21, 2017 

Volume 4, Number 19

In This Issue

Tax Bill “Essentially” Repeals ObamaCare

Reform Bill Repeals Mandate in 2019

Final Approval for Tax Overhaul

No Sweeteners for HSAs

2 Million Children Could Lose Health Coverage in January

TJG On Facebook

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The Hill: Trump: GOP Tax Bill 'essentially' Repeals ObamaCare
Despite Trump’s claim, the tax bill does not repeal ObamaCare entirely. People will still be able to purchase insurance through individual marketplaces, Medicaid expansion is preserved and consumer protections remain in place. But health-care experts worry that without the mandate, premiums in the individual insurance market could spike, competition could decrease and more people will become uninsured. (Fabian, 12/20)

Source: The Hill

Cigna: Reform Bill Includes Repeal of Individual Mandate Beginning in 2019
On Dec. 20, Congress pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which makes significant changes to individual and corporate provisions of the U.S. tax code, including a reduction in the coporate tax rate to 21%, down from 35%, beginning in 2018. The bill includes permanent effective repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual mandate, requiring indidividuals to purchase and maintain health coverage, by zeroing out the penalty beginning in 2019. For 2018, most individuals are still required to maintain coverage or pay a penalty when they file their 2018 federal income tax return. (Cigna, 12/20)

Source: Cigna, Informed on Reform

NY Times: House Gives Final Approval for Tax Overhaul
The House, forced to vote a second time on the $1.5 trillion tax bill, moved swiftly to pass the final verson on Wednesday, clearing the way for President Trump to sign into law the most sweeping tax overhaul in decades. House lawmakers approved the tax bill 224 to 201 on Wednesday. (Kaplan, 12/20)

Source: NY Times

Kaiser: No Sweeteners Added to Tax Bill To Spread Use of Health Savings Account
The GOP tax legislation doesn’t incorporate any changes, said Roy Ramthum, president of HSA Consulting Services. Some analysts say it’s still possible that HSA changes could be attached to other pieces of legistation, such as a spending bill or a bill to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program. (Andrews, 12/19)

Source: Kaiser

The New York Times: Unless Congress Acts, Nearly 2 Million Children Could Lose Health Coverage In January
If Congress does not renew federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP, more than 1.9 million children in 23 states could lose health coverage in January, according to a new analysis by the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. (Park, 12/20)

Source: The New York Times

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