Congressman Horsford Votes to Lower Health Care Costs for Nevada Families

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) voted on and helped pass the Middle-Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act (H.R. 748), which would eliminate a 40 percent tax on high-premium employer-sponsored health care coverage. Congressman Horsford has long opposed this so-called "Cadillac Tax," and supports its repeal as a way to improve upon the Affordable Care Act, which

"For many working families, necessary medical treatment remains tragically unaffordable due to exorbitant out of pocket costs and deductibles. If this so-called Cadillac Tax isn't repealed, this crisis of affordability for medical care will only worsen," Congressman Horsford said. "The Affordable Care Act is not perfect, but it has delivered for millions of Americans. The ACA exists to protect the American people against the rising price of health care, and repealing this tax allows it to continue helping families access the care they need."

This excise tax, originally included in the ACA and delayed through 2022, would reduce the value of employer-sponsored health plans, reduce benefits, and increase their workers' share of the cost. This would result in increases in out-of-pocket costs for 177 million workers across the country. In Nevada, 1.3 million people would be affected by this tax, including the state's 167,000 casino employees, 29,000 mining and mining-related workers, as well as nurses, school teachers, local government employees, and factory workers.

Congressman Horsford recognized this hardship and joined the bipartisan effort to repeal the excise tax, rising to speak in support of its elimination during floor debate.

Expanding health care access and reducing costs for all Nevadans is a top priority for Congressman Horsford. The Congressman has fought against rising drug prices and introduced the SPIKE ACT, bipartisan legislation to stop pharmaceutical industry price gouging by requiring them to justify their large price hikes. The Congressman also voted to pass the Protecting Americans With Pre-Existing Conditions Act—legislation he co-sponsored to stop the Trump Administration from allowing insurance companies to discriminate against sick Nevadans. He co-sponsored legislation overturning the Trump Administration's rule allowing short-term ‘junk' health plans that permit insurance companies to discriminate against Nevadans with pre-existing conditions, and refuse to provide essential health services.