As we noted earlier this year, the recent tax law essentially neutered the (evil) Mandate:
"Quite simply put, the mandate still exists. It's still in the law. What has changed is the penalty for not purchasing health insurance has been zeroed out"
Note well, however, that:
1) This applies to plan year 2019 and after; the tax/penalty/fine remains in place for 2018, and
b) It's a certainty that the tax/penalty/fine will be reinstated should the Congress change hands in November.
That being said, there is some other good news out of DC:
"Quite simply put, the mandate still exists. It's still in the law. What has changed is the penalty for not purchasing health insurance has been zeroed out"
Note well, however, that:
1) This applies to plan year 2019 and after; the tax/penalty/fine remains in place for 2018, and
b) It's a certainty that the tax/penalty/fine will be reinstated should the Congress change hands in November.
That being said, there is some other good news out of DC:
"The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced on Wednesday a new opportunity for those who failed to comply with the individual mandate in 2018 to avoid the corresponding tax penalty.
The new policy allows hardship exemptions to be claimed without "the documentary evidence or written explanation generally required."
That is, "because I say so" becomes a legit deferral mechanism. And since this is an implementation under the Executive branch, it seems pretty Congress-proof to moi.
Sweet.
[Hat Tip: FoIB Steve Downey]
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