Medical Expense Tax Deduction

Letter to Senators Casey & Toomey.

Protect the Middle Class and Access to Health Care

Proposals to cut taxes should not make it harder for people to access and afford the health care they need. Eliminating the medical expense deduction would force many families affected by MS into financial devastation. MS is a chronic, expensive disease--with annual direct medical expenses averaging as much as five times more for people living with the disease compared to others.

In addition, the medical expense deduction- with a threshold based on a percentage of income- is truly middle class tax relief. According to 2014 estimated IRS data:
- 6.3 million (69%) of those claiming the deduction reported income of $75,000 or less; 
- 4.5 million (49%) of those claiming it reported income of $50,000 or less.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that repealing the individual mandate will result in 13 million Americans becoming uninsured, resulting in an average premium increase of 10% for others. Any changes to our health care system should be focused on expanding access to quality, affordable health coverage for all Americans not taking it away. Additionally, because of the cost of H.R. 1 is not off-set within the bill, it is likely to trigger a 4% ($25 billion) cut to Medicare and other programs.

As a constituent and MS activist I urge Congress to maintain the individual mandate and the medical expense deduction within any tax legislation. The individual mandate and the medical expense deduction have helped many people and families stay afloat and pay for critical health care costs and long-term services and supports. Tax cuts should not make it harder for those with high health care costs to get the care they need.

Sincerely,