Pressure from Portman, Turner leads to IRS course reversal on HCTC premium assistance

The IRS heeded calls from U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) and U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) on Monday to allow groups like Ohio Delphi Retirees to receive premium assistance.

The IRS previously announced that it would not meet a July 1 deadline to provide premium assistance through the Health Coverage Tax Credit’s (HCTC) advance monthly payment (AMP) program as required under law.

Under pressure from Portman and Turner, however, the IRS announced on Monday that groups like Ohio Delphi Retirees would be able to receive AMP premium assistance.

“This program is critical to thousands of Ohio families and retirees, and they need it up and running now because their health care depends on it,” Portman said. “Many Ohioans have been forced to take extraordinary measures to pay for health insurance while the IRS establishes this program. We will continue to work with the IRS and hold its feet to the fire to ensure that work on this program is completed in a timely manner.”

HCTC provides assistance to trade-affected workers and specific groups of retirees to purchase private health coverage to replace employer-sponsored coverage that they’ve lost. It provides a 72.5 percent refundable tax credit for qualified plans.

Portman and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced legislation in February 2015 to extend the HCTC through 2019. The efforts of Portman, Brown, and Turner led to the inclusion of a provision to renew and extend HCTC in the Trade Preferences Extension Act which was signed into law by President Obama last June.

“I am proud of this victory and pleased the IRS has finally given the Delphi retirees the certainty they need,” Turner said. “I will continue to lead the fight and stand with these retirees to ensure they receive the treatment they deserve, and hold the IRS accountable as this program is implemented.”