Emerson: Health Law Penalties to Hit 4,000,000 Americans

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) said the Congressional Budget Office today divulged that four million Americans are likely to be subject to the penalties for not carrying government-approved health insurance in 2016.

"This law represents a huge intrusion of big government into our doctors' offices, pharmacies and hospitals, it represents a huge presence of special interests in the construction of major legislation, and it also represents a huge cost liability to millions of Americans," Emerson said. "Penalties for not securing health insurance set a dangerous precedent, one that is sure to be challenged in federal court. The idea that federal government is going to be more, instead of less, involved in their personal lives is a major reason why this new law is so unpopular among working Americans."

Emerson, who opposed the new health law, noted that the CBO also says the fines imposed by the Internal Revenue Service will be around $1,000 per person. Furthermore, the CBO analysis points out that $2 billion of new taxes from the health law will be paid by three million Americans earning below a certain threshold, currently $72,850 for married couples filing jointly, with an average liability of nearly $700.

"The last thing needed by American families struggling through difficult times is to worry about whether or not the federal government is going to worsen their situation by imposing a health care tax on them," Emerson said. "I appreciate the good intentions behind wanting to cover more Americans with health insurance, but I also want to change the focus of the health reform discussion to focus on lower costs for patients rather than higher taxes, fees and penalties for Americans."