Comptroller Kevin Lembo Archive > News
COMPTROLLER LEMBO'S STATEMENT ON DELAY OF AFFORDABLE CARE ACT'S "CADILLAC TAX"“The so-called ‘Cadillac tax’ – senselessly deterring employers from offering quality health care benefits and punishing those that do – has rightfully been delayed. This two-year delay is an important first step, and hopefully a prelude to complete repeal of this excise tax. I am particularly grateful to Rep. Joe Courtney for leading this effort.
“In August, I called on Connecticut’s congressional delegation to support repeal of the Cadillac Tax because it completely undermines the broader goals of the Affordable Care Act – which are to increase health care coverage, reduce costs and improve outcomes. The tax does the complete opposite by deterring employers from offering low-deductible health plans, discouraging patients from seeking care and ultimately increasing health care costs for everyone.
“The state employee plan, by introducing the Health Enhancement Program, has actually lowered the state’s health care cost trend while increasing patient access to preventive services, wellness exams and medication adherence. Punishing plans and taxpayers for successfully improving health care quality at reduced costs is completely counterproductive. I look forward to working with the Connecticut congressional delegation to ultimately pursue complete repeal.”