(Guest Editorial, Special to the John & Rusty Report: Neil Trautwein leads The Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage (P4ESC), a Washington D.C.-based lobbying coalition of leading benefits and industry groups. Word & Brown is an active part of P4ESC, which is helping employers oppose the proposed Employer Tax Exclusion for group health benefits. For more information about P4ESC, visit the organization website.)
The Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage (P4ESC) warns Congress not to tax health benefits. P4ESC wrote to the full Congress in a May 5th letter (https://bit.ly/3YvmxZP).
“We oppose taxing health benefits,” said Neil Trautwein, P4ESC’s Executive Director. “Policymakers will find how widely unpopular the idea will be with Americans with this type of coverage if they take this unwise step,” added Trautwein.
“Whether this tax comes in the form of limiting the individual tax exclusion from income for coverage or instead caps employers’ ability to deduct the cost of coverage is immaterial. It still amounts to a tax on benefits and will be toxic to employer-based coverage,” continued Trautwein.
“Health benefits are the most valued employee benefit next to wages. Health benefits provide a bulwark against financial impoverishment from health care needs,” concluded Trautwein.
P4ESC is a nonpartisan coalition of employment-based organizations and trade associations representing businesses of all sizes and sectors, and the millions of Americans and their families who rely on employer-sponsored coverage every day. Employer-sponsored health insurance is the single largest source of coverage in our nation. https://www.p4esc.org