Larson Introduces Bill to Repeal Trump ‘Sick Tax’

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) announced the introduction of the Protect Patients from Costly Care Actwith Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01), to repeal the Republican Budget's costly Medicaid copay requirement and a provision barring Medicare from negotiating the price of certain prescriptions.

"The Republican Budget kicks more than 15 million Americans off their health care to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, but that is not all," said Larson. "They even snuck in a 'sick tax' that will make it even more expensive for families to get the care they need. Americans are already struggling to make ends meet. At a time when our nation's wealthiest are seeing record tax breaks, it is beyond cruel to put up new barriers to simply receive care. I am glad to join Rep. Pappas in an effort to repeal this burdensome and unfair tax on you. I am fighting to lower costs every day in Congress - something Donald Trump promised to do on day one and has failed to deliver. If the Republican majority is serious about addressing our nation's cost-of-living crisis, they will stand with us and act before families are saddled with even higher costs at the doctor's office."

This legislation is supported by Protect Our Care and Patients for Affordable Drugs Now.

The Republican Budget that President Trump signed into law in July includes massive cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act coverage to pay for a new tax break for the wealthy. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates more than 15 million Americanswill lose their health coverage.

It also enacted a new "sick tax" requirement, requiring Medicaid enrollees to pay a $35 copay per service before they can see a provider or visit a hospital. Providers are permitted to deny care to patients who cannot afford to pay the "sick tax."

In 2022, Rep. Larson helped author and pass the Inflation Reduction Act, finally empowering Medicare to directly negotiate the price of prescriptions. As a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, he helped lead opposition to the Republican budget plan, joining with his Democratic colleagues to offer amendmentsduring a 17-hour markup and opposing it on the floor.

Full bill text is available HERE.