Sens. Heinrich, Heller Form Bipartisan Coalition to Eliminate Cadillac Tax in New Congress

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The office of Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., issued the following news release:

Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Dean Heller (R-N.V.) unveiled their new legislation to eliminate a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) known as the "Cadillac Tax," which would tax high-cost health insurance plans and impact health benefits for New Mexicans.

"It's "Eliminating this onerous tax on employees' health coverage will protect important benefits for workers and ensure that businesses and families get a fair deal. The landmark reforms in the Affordable Care Act have given hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans access to quality, affordable health care for the first time in their lives. But even the strongest supporters of the law know it isn't perfect and that there are some parts that need to be fixed. New Mexicans can always count on me to seek pragmatic, results-oriented solutions to the pressing challenges we face, and making the ACA work for everyone is no exception," said Senator Heinrich.

"As we begin the new year, the focus to repeal the Cadillac tax has never been stronger. We have widespread bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress and a new and willing Administration that has already committed to repealing this terrible tax. The goal of healthcare reform should be to lower costs for those who already have health benefits, and expand access to those who do not currently have coverage. The Cadillac tax achieves neither. That's why I will be pushing for a full repeal of the Cadillac tax. I'd like to thank Senator Heinrich for his leadership in the Senate, and I'd also like to thank Congressman Joe Courtney and Congressman Mike Kelly for their commitment to join in repealing this onerous tax," said Senator Heller.

Background:

The Heller-Heinrich Cadillac tax repeal legislation is bipartisan legislation to repeal Obamacare's Cadillac tax, a devastating 40 percent excise tax on employer-sponsored health care. The tax will negatively impact 760,000 in New Mexico and 1.3 million in Nevada alone, including public employees, service industry workers, and small business owners and retirees. Last Congress, Senators Heller and Heinrich successfully steered through the Senate a bipartisan amendment to fully repeal the Cadillac tax by a vote of 90-10. Their efforts led to a two-year delay on implementation of the Cadillac tax.

A copy of the bill is available HERE (http://www.heinrich.senate.gov/download/cadillactaxbill).

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