A HOUSE RESOLUTION expressing support for the repeal of portions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act.
Whereas, sections 9010 and 10905 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111‑148) and section 1406 of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (P.L. 111‑152) impose an unprecedented new tax on health insurance that numerous policy experts agree will be passed on to individuals, working families, small employers, and senior citizens, contradicting a primary goal of health reform by making care more expensive; and
Whereas, the health insurance tax will cause premiums on the individual market to rise an average of $2,150 for individuals and $5,080 for families nationally over a 10‑year period; and
Whereas, the tax will impose a fee of $400 on North Carolina families in 2016; and
Whereas, the health insurance tax will impact small employers over the next 10 years, reducing private sector jobs by 125,000, with 59% at small businesses, and potential sales will be reduced by at least $18 billion, 50% of which will come from small businesses; and
Whereas, in the State of North Carolina, premiums for small employers will increase by an average of $500 per employee, and premiums for large employers will also increase; and
Whereas, North Carolinians with a Medicare Advantage Plan would see an increased cost in additional premiums and reduced benefits over 10 years; and
Whereas, an increase in North Carolina's Medicaid health plan would place pressure on an already strained State budget, decreasing benefits and potentially creating coverage disruption; and
Whereas, higher premiums are a disincentive for everyone to obtain insurance coverage, particularly younger, healthier people who are likely to drop their policy if it becomes too expensive, further eroding the risk pool and making coverage less affordable, Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  That the House of Representatives strongly urges the United States Congress to enact legislation to repeal the health insurance tax, sections 9010 and 10905 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and section 1406 of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act to make health care more affordable for working families, individuals, and businesses.
SECTION 2.  That the Principal Clerk send a certified copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of North Carolina's congressional delegation.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.