WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) voted to pass the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019, of which she is a cosponsor. The bill permanently repeals the 40% tax on high-cost health insurance plans, also known as the “Cadillac tax.” The bill passed the House by a vote of 419-6.

“I have heard loud and clear from my community that we need to make health care more affordable and accessible for Pennsylvanians, and I am proud to vote today on bipartisan legislation to do just that,” said Houlahan. “Nearly 60% of Pennsylvanians depend on employer-provided health care coverage, and imposing a 40% tax on some of these plans would be bad for employers, employees, and families alike. Thousands of Pennsylvanian workers would either lose some of their healthcare benefits or bear more of the cost personally if this tax were to go into effect. It is for them that I cosponsored this legislation and am proud to vote for permanent repeal of the 'Cadillac Tax.'  I’m grateful for the advocacy of our labor unions and the Chester County Chamber for Business and Industry that helped bring this to a vote.”

“The Chamber applauds Congresswoman Houlahan’s vote,” said Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry CEO Guy Ciarrocchi. “We need to encourage insurance coverage and healthy lifestyles, not punish them. This is a vote for common sense and to give employees insurance coverage to keep them healthy and working.”

“The Cadillac Tax will dramatically reduce our bargaining power, forcing the working class to accept less towards our wages and pension,” said Martin Davis of Teamsters Local 429 in Wyomissing, PA. “Thank you Congresswoman Houlahan for voting to repeal this tax and standing with us in this never ending war on labor. Approximately 16,000 lives enjoy our good quality health insurance and this tax would diminish our coverage greatly.”

This policy would impact health insurance expenditures over $11,200 for an individual and $30,150 per family.

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She’s in her first term representing Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Small Business Committee.

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