Cadillac Tax delayed (again); repeal effort maintains strong bipartisan support

On Monday, President Trump signed legislation that will fund the government for another three weeks, thereby ending the three-day government shutdown. The bill includes a provision which delays the effective date of the excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health plans for two additional years, until 2022.

Originally included as part of the Affordable Care Act, the tax was an attempt to discourage workers from over-consuming healthcare. The belief/rationale was that many were buying unnecessarily expensive plans; however, opponents argued that the 40% rate on employers offering those plans was too punitive. Initially set to take effect in 2018, it was then postponed until 2020.

The move to delay implementation of the Cadillac Tax yet again is viewed as crucial for maintaining strong employee benefits, because companies typically make health plan decisions well in advance (i.e. 18 to 24 months). This reprieve allows employers to  maintain the health coverage working families want and need.

TASC continues to believe that full repeal is the only real solution to this onerous tax, and looks forward to working with the Trump Administration and Congressional leaders…so employers aren’t forced to choose between paying the tax or reducing benefits.