Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03), and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) have released a bipartisan statement outlining principles to temporarily extend and reform the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. The proposal aims to address health care costs by implementing a two-year extension of these tax credits, introducing income caps, and adding measures to prevent fraud.
The group stated: “Congress is gridlocked, and too many Americans have lost faith that we can work together. But here’s the truth: Democrats and Republicans can sit down, listen to one another, and find common ground, especially when it comes to lowering health care costs.
“We may not agree on every ideal outcome, but we’ve identified a fair, reasonable path forward on the future of the Affordable Care Act’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. Compromise isn’t rocket science and it shouldn’t be treated like a weakness.
“Our hope is that this shared statement of principles will inspire bipartisan collaboration across Washington and help get Congress back to work for the American people.”
Key elements of their proposed principles include:
– A temporary two-year extension of enhanced premium tax credits.
– An income cap phased out between $200,000 and $400,000.
– Guardrails designed to prevent improper payments.
– Requirements for ACA marketplaces to verify recipient eligibility using the Death Master File in order to prevent “ghost beneficiaries.”
– Establishing a “preponderance of evidence” standard for determining whether agents or brokers can continue operating in ACA marketplaces.
– Enhanced requirements for marketplaces to clearly notify recipients about the value of federal premium tax credits they receive.
Don Bacon has represented Nebraska’s 2nd district in Congress since 2017 after succeeding Brad Ashford. He was born in Momence, Illinois in 1963 and currently lives in Papillion. Bacon graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BA in 1984 and also attended the University of Phoenix.
