WASHINGTON - A Republican bill to change the definition of the work week under the Affordable Care Act from 30 hours a week to 40 hours a week (H.R. 2575) would lead some employers to drop health insurance coverage for American workers, leaving some uninsured and others relying on Medicaid for their health care, Joint Committee on Taxation Chief of Staff Thomas A. Barthold testified today at a Ways and Means Committee mark-up. This shift from job-based coverage to public programs moves in the opposite direction of what Republicans claim to be concerned about, and it leads to increased federal spending and outlays, as well as loss of revenue. Below is the video - and the text of the exchange:
***WATCH VIDEO***
TRANSCRIPT
LEVIN: Under this bill, would you expect fewer employees would receive an offer of affordable coverage?
BARTHOLD: As part of our economic analysis, we would expect that that would happen.
LEVIN: Do you know how many?
BARTHOLD: We’ve not had an opportunity to complete that analysis.
LEVIN: When do you think that will happen?
BARTHOLD: As soon as we can. …
LEVIN: So some of the people as a result of the legislation will become uninsured?
BARTHOLD: Would the change enable some employers who under present law would offer certain employees employer-based coverage now not have the obligation under the employer mandate and perhaps change their mind in terms of the type of compensation that they offer employees? My answer to that was yes, we would expect that factor that some employers would now choose not to cover their employees.
LEVIN: And some of those employees might become eligible for Medicaid?
BARTHOLD: Yes, sir. Or they might be able to acquire coverage through the exchanges. Some could also end up uninsured and that is part of the analysis my colleagues and our colleagues at the CBO are undertaking.
