Inflation Reduction Act Now A Law - Rallying Climate, Healthcare
Several Biden administration officials and Democrats called the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act as a landmark decision by the president. The IRA makes families save money without compromising their health as it also imposes a huge tax on filthy rich corporations. Seems fair, right? Oh, and Mother Nature benefits, too.
Author:Hajra ShannonReviewer:Paula M. GrahamAug 18, 2022498 Shares55.3K Views
The $700 billion bill called the Inflation Reduction Act(IRA) became a law after U.S. President Joe Biden signed it on August 16.
While the amount varies - CNN, for one, put it at $750 billion - one thing’s for sure: the bill’s “a Godsend.”
That’s according to President Biden, himself, in his speech for the signing ceremony at the State Dining Room of the White House.
Not only did the 79-year-old POTUS describe the bill as “a Godsend to many families,” he likewise believed it was “so, so long overdue.”
The Inflation Reduction Act tackles matters concerning:
- healthcare
- government deficit
- taxation
- climate change
Representative John Yarmuth (3rd Congressional District of Kentucky), chairman of the House Budget Committee, sponsored the bill.
The House of Representatives started discussing the bill on November 5, 2021.
On August 2, 2022, it was first read in the Senate.
It was presented to the president on August 15.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, as quoted by the National Public Radio (NPR):
“„If you . . . wonder how you’re going to pay the bills - your healthcare bills, your prescription drug bills - this bill’s for you.
The Inflation Reduction Act will specifically benefit working families, seniors, and small businesses.
New Inflation Reduction Act Is A 'Small Step' In Right Direction, Not Historic
The Democrat-Send Bill
Democrats in the House backed the Inflation Reduction Act.
President Biden made sure the public will know, saying:
“„And remember: Every single Republican in Congress voted against this bill.
Why not when the high cost of health care negatively affects 83 percent of them.
That’s based on the result of a survey conducted by Small Business for America’s Future, a Washington-based non-profit organization.
Inflation Reduction Act Passed - Now What?
House Resolution (H.R.) 5376, or the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, holds two major possibilities.
One, for the government to earn money and resolve the budget deficit.
As the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget stated:
“„The legislation would reduce deficits by $305 billion through 2031.
Another is for families to save money.
Let’s talk about how the bill will proceed.
Healthcare
On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.
One of the provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to provide subsidies to make health insurance more affordable.
On December 31, 2022, these subsidies will expire.
Around 3 million people could suffer the loss of their health insurance if the ACA subsidy is discontinued.
That’s an estimate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to Forbes.
The Inflation Reduction Act ensures that the ACA subsidies will continue to be offered until 2025.
In addition, based on a White House statement, approximately 700,000 Latinos can get health insurance in 2023.
Moreover, the Inflation Reduction Act includes what Democrats (the ones who voted for IRA) refer to as “prescription drug pricing reform.”
Per Senate estimate, this pricing reform could raise $265 billion in government revenue.
Through IRA, Medicare, the government’s health insurance program for senior citizens (65 and up), can negotiate to cut the cost of some prescription drugs.
Furthermore, beginning in 2025, there will be an annual $2,000 cap on prescription drugs bought by senior recipients of Medicare.
Tax
The Inflation Reduction Act targets companies that earn no less than $1 billion.
A 15 percent corporate minimum tax rate will be imposed on them.
The U.S. Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimated that it will yield $222 billion.
A 1 percent excise tax will be applied on stock buybacks or share repurchases starting January 1, 2023.
Estimated revenue, per JCT: $74 billion.
Climate Change
Tax incentives await families and businesses through the Inflation Reduction Act.
Tax credits when purchasing electric vehicles (EVs):
- up to $7,500 for brand new ones
- $4,000 on second-hand units
According to the White House, by using an EV, a family can save $900 annually.
Also, families can avail of direct consumer rebates totaling $14,000 if they buy energy-saving appliancesas well as heat pumps.
The Inflation Reduction Act also includes a 30 percent tax credit on families that will place solar panels on their roofs.
Economists Support the IRA
The White House didn’t miss the chance to mention the number of “leading economists” who back the Inflation Reduction Act.
A total of 126.
Seven of them were Nobel laureates.
The list of heavyweight supporters also includes a couple of former:
- secretaries of the U.S. Treasury
- vice chairs of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System
- chairs of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers
The U.S. government projected that through the IRA, it would be able to raise a total of $737 billion.
With a probable revenue of more than half a trillion dollars that will benefit the people, who wouldn’t want to support the Inflation Reduction Act?
Hajra Shannon
Author
Paula M. Graham
Reviewer
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