The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable John Cornyn
Majority Whip
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Charles E. Schumer
Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Richard J. Durbin
Minority Whip
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Majority Whip Cornyn, and Minority Whip Durbin,
As members of the Stop The HIT Coalition, we urge you to maintain an immediate and permanent repeal of the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) in the Senate version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA).
Our organizations represent America’s small business owners, their employees and the self-employed. At a time when these hardworking Americans are struggling to afford the cost of rising premiums, repeal of the HIT would provide critical relief to those who need it most.
Small businesses are the keystone of the American economy, fueling growth in rural and urban communities alike. Unfortunately, the crushing impact of the HIT unfairly targets small business owners and their employees. By driving up the cost of premiums, the HIT cripples their ability to innovate and grow, forcing owners to choose between eliminating jobs or cutting employee benefits.
HIT relief enjoys bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. In 2015, we were encouraged when nearly 400 Republicans and Democrats came together to suspend the tax for one year (2017). Absent immediate Congressional action, the HIT is projected to increase to $14.3 billion in 2018 – further driving up the cost of premiums for small businesses, middle-income families, seniors and young workers struggling to afford the cost of care. Indeed, more than half of the entire tax is paid by those with incomes between $10,000 – $50,000 and estimates show the HIT will cost small businesses and families $5,000 in higher premiums over a decade.
Millions of hardworking Americans should not bear the burden of misguided tax policies. As leaders of your parties, we urge you to reach across the aisle to provide permanent relief from this harmful tax now, once and for all.
Sincerely,
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Hotel & Lodging Association
American Rental Association
American Supply Association
Associated Builders and Contractors
Auto Care Association
Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
National Association of Convenience Stores
National Association of Health Underwriters
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
National Club Association
National Federation of Independent Business
National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association
National Restaurant Association
National Retail Federation
National Roofing Contractors Association
National Small Business Association
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Society of American Florists