The U.S. Senate left for their 4th of July recess without bringing the Better Care Reconciliation Act to a vote. The Senate is back in session July 10.
The Better Care Reconciliation Act, the Senate’s version of health care reform, would repeal the individual mandate to maintain health coverage and the employer mandate to offer health coverage. It removes many taxes implemented under the Affordable Care Act, including the tax on over the counter drugs. It also removes the limit on contributions to a health flexible spending account plan.
As drafted, the BCRA does not seem to have enough support to pass a Senate vote. It is anticipated that the Act will undergo additional modifications once the Senate is back in session.
While the Senate has not yet taken action, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government approved an appropriations bill that stops the Internal Revenue Service from enforcing the individual mandate. The restrictions are part of a bill for the fiscal year starting October 1, 2017. The bill provides that the IRS may not use funds to enforce the penalty on people who do not have health coverage. This bill is separate from the attempt to overturn the Affordable Care Act, but may effectively un-do a major tenant of health care reform.
