Chamber of Commerce urges Congress to stop ObamaCare tax

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched a six-figure digital media campaign Tuesday urging Congress to repeal an ObamaCare tax on health insurance plans. 

The Health Insurance Tax is an annual fee owed by insurers that is set to go into effect in December.

Congress delayed the implementation of the tax in 2015 through an omnibus spending bill after facing pressure from insurance companies and businesses.

{mosads}The tax was targeted for elimination in the GOP’s ObamaCare repeal plan, but the failure of the bill in the Senate has left it in limbo. 

Now, interest groups are lobbying Congress to act quickly.

“We know Congress has a long to do list this fall, and we want to remind them that delaying the health insurance tax must be a priority. Time is running out. In a few months this tax will return, and small business owners, families, and seniors will shoulder the cost,” said Neil Bradley, senior vice president and chief policy officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

“We want to make sure these constituents are contacting their representatives because their insurance premiums are going to be even higher because of this tax.” 

The Chamber launched a webpage with a countdown to the implementation of the tax and suggests that visitors contact Congress about repealing it. 

Congress would have a few options to repeal the tax if it decides to do so: through a continuing resolution to fund the government, a tax reform bill Republicans are hoping to pass, a bipartisan healthcare bill the Senate’s health committee is working on or the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, a program that expires at the end of September. 

The delay of the tax cost the federal government about $14 billion in 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in a memo last year.

ObamaCare instated a number of taxes, including the Health Insurance Tax, to help pay for the expansion of health-care coverage under the law.