© The Rooster Crows March 22 2023
Bills: File 13 or Write A Check?
THE BILL
HB 1004: Health care matters. “Allows a credit against an employer’s state tax liability if the employer has adopted a health reimbursement arrangement. Requires certain employers that claim and are allowed the credit to report certain information to the department of insurance. Provides a credit against state tax liability to certain physicians who have an ownership interest in a physician practice and meet other eligibility criteria. Establishes the health care cost oversight board and sets forth duties of the board. https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/house/1004#digest-heading
THE CONS
“As you know, Hoosiers already face some of the highest healthcare costs of any state. The last thing we need are proposals, like those in HB1004, which will impose new taxes on healthcare that will negatively impact consumers and employers across our state – while doing nothing to address high hospital costs.
If we fail to hold hospitals accountable for their primary role in our state’s healthcare affordability crisis, we’ll have achieved nothing.
Not only will HB1004’s new taxes result in higher healthcare costs, but the bill also creates a dangerous precedent that could spread across industries.
Healthcare inflation reached an all-time high last year. Hoosiers like me, don’t need new taxes, like those included in HB1004, making healthcare even more expensive.”
Written by Healthcare Network an Elevance Company. It is the largest for-profit managed health care company in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
https://healthactionnetwork.com/about/
THE PROS
“HB1004 is designed to bring down costs to the national average, which is 260% of the federal Medicare reimbursement rate. If a nonprofit hospital charges amounts for health care services that exceeded 260% of the federal Medicare reimbursement rate, under HB 1004, the state will assess a penalty against the hospital. Revenue collected from the penalty would be used to pay the state’s share of the cost of Medicaid services.The bill also bans noncompete clauses for physicians while also helping physicians start independent practices.”
Written by Star Press David Penticuff Muncie Star Press
https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2023/02/16/lawmakers-industry-talking-about-legislation-to-lower-hospital-prices/69902973007/
If you want to change the direction of our country, start with positive action by contacting your Representatives. Indiana residents may find Representative contact information here. https://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/
Rooster Crows 