Sinema, McSally Working to Lower Health Care Costs for Arizona Seniors, Middle Class Families

Congressional Documents & Publications

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) and Congresswoman Martha McSally (AZ-02) introduced the Halt Tax Increases on the Middle Class and Seniors Act, legislation to reverse a tax increase on middle class families and Arizona seniors.

"Arizonans continue to struggle with increasing health care costs," said Congresswoman Sinema. "This commonsense legislation allows Arizona seniors and hardworking families to deduct more of their out-of-pocket health care expenses, a relief sorely needed during tough economic times. I will continue working with Congresswoman McSally and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to lower health care costs for Arizonans."

"First, Obamacare raised taxes on middle class families," said Congresswoman McSally. "Now, seniors are being handed the bill for the failing law's unsustainable costs. Americans deserve better. My thanks to Congresswoman Sinema for joining again in this fight to protect Arizonans. I look forward to working with her to get this bill through Congress."

"Many Arizona seniors already face high out-of-pocket medical costs," said Dana M. Kennedy, AARP Arizona State Director "Increasing this tax deduction threshold on them will only cost them more. AARP is proud of the bipartisan work of Representative McSally and Representative Sinema to preserve this important medical deduction and help ensure seniors in Arizona with high health care costs do not also get hit with tax hikes."

Previously, taxpayers could deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted growth income (AGI). The Affordable Care Act increased this threshold to 10 percent for individuals under 65. For individuals 65 and older, the increase is scheduled to occur in 2017. The Halt Tax Increases on the Middle Class and Seniors Act prevents that increase and returns the AGI threshold to 7.5 percent for all individuals.