WASHINGTON, DC . . . Yesterday, Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-04) voted in favor of H.R. 436, the Health Care Cost Reduction Act of 2012, which passed 270-146.

"One of the top concerns shared by American families and small businesses is the high cost of health insurance and related taxes, and I am pleased that this bill works to address this concern," said Hall. "The Health Care Cost Reduction Act repeals burdensome taxes and regulations imposed by the President’s bad health care law, lowers costs for consumers, and protects Americans' right to choose how they spend their own money on health care."

Hall continued, "By providing health care tax relief for small businesses, we can also provide more certainty for job creators to expand their businesses and hire new workers. When so many Americans are struggling to find work, Washington should do all it can to pass pro-jobs legislation."

Specifically, H.R. 436:

·        Prevents a $29 billion excise tax on medical devices that could cost the industry a loss of more than 43,000 eliminated or outsourced jobs - this also prevents businesses from passing higher costs down to consumers;

·        Repeals a section of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that currently prevents Americans from using a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HAS) to purchase over-the-counter medications without a doctor's prescription; and

·        Permits Flexible Spending Arrangement users to keep a portion of their own money at the end of the year in the form of taxable income - funds that would be lost under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

"As we get closer to the Supreme Court announcing its decision on President Obama's health care bill, 'Obamacare,' constituents of the 4th District and people across the country continue to speak out in loud opposition to this health care law. Although we do not know how the Court will rule, I continue to fight for a full repeal of this unworkable law."

 

###