Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said that lawmakers looking to wean people off of government programs should support the tax credits his committee approved as part of the GOP’s plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
“Having a tax credit that is immediately usable is critical for a couple of reasons,” Brady told reporters on Thursday, mere hours after his panel approved its part of the bill around 4 a.m. “One, for that small business person who doesn’t get the tax break that big business workers get; that’s critical for them. But also, for governors working to help people get off Medicaid into better-paying jobs. It’s critical for conservatives there be an immediately useable tax credit so they’re not trapped on Medicaid and actually can climb that economic ladder and know they’re not losing benefits,” he said.
Members of the influential House Freedom Caucus and other conservatives are worried that such a scheme would essentially create a new entitlement and bind future Congresses.
“For conservatives focused on small business workers and focused on working people off of Medicaid … this is an important” provision Brady answered when asked if that section was negotiable.
