Washington, D.C. (November 4, 2015) The Alliance to Fight the 40, a broad-based coalition seeking to repeal the 40 percent tax on employee health benefits, announced today that the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has joined the Alliance. With the addition of ACS CAN, a patient advocacy group committed to ensuring that cancer patients, survivors and their families have access to affordable health care, the Alliance 's ranks increase to more than 30 member organizations representing millions of affected individuals.
We 're thrilled to welcome ACS CAN to the Alliance.æ This continues the momentum to repeal the tax that threatens health coverage for over175 million Americans, said James A. Klein, President of the American Benefits Council.
A 40 percent tax would have a direct impact on the continued affordability of employer-sponsored health insurance, and it would threaten patient access to lifesaving care, said ACS CAN President Chris Hansen. Studies have shown that access to health care increases one 's chances of surviving cancer. We support the Alliance 's critical efforts to have Congress repeal this tax.
The Cadillac Tax is a 40% non-deductible tax on the cost of employer-sponsored health coverage that exceeds certain benefit thresholds initially, $10,200 for self-only coverage and $27,500 for family coverage in 2018.
However, many plans are expensive not because they are äóÖoverly generous ' but simply because they provide essential coverage to people with catastrophic health conditions like cancer.
It cannot possibly have been Congress ' intent to penalize families who are wrestling with life-threatening health conditions by compelling employers to cut-back on vital coverage to avoid a confiscatory tax, said Klein.
In addition to the growing coalition of supporters that are part of the Alliance to Fight the 40, there is increased momentum in Congress to repeal the tax. Legislation to repeal the 40 percent tax has garnered 267 co-sponsors in the House and 30 co-sponsors in the Senate.
It is imperative that Congress move quickly on this legislation. It is unconscionable that Congress wants to tax plans that are more expensive simply because they do what health insurance is intended to do protect people against the financial devastation of serious illness, Klein concluded.
The Alliance to Fight the 40 is a broad-based coalition comprised of public and private sector employer organizations, unions, health care companies, businesses and other stakeholders that support employer-sponsored health coverage. This coverage is the backbone of our health care system and protects over 175 million Americans across the United States. The Alliance seeks to repeal the 40% tax on employee health benefits to ensure that employer-sponsored coverage remains an effective and affordable option for working Americans and their families.
For more information on the 40% Tax on Health Benefits, visit our website at www.fightthe40.com or follow us on Twitter @Fightthe40.
For More Info, Contact:
Alissa Crispino or Steven Weiss
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Phone: 202-661-5772 or 202-661-5711