Portman, Turner continue to press administration on health coverage for Delphi salaried retirees
On Thursday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and U.S. Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH-10) continued their fight for Delphi salaried retirees by urging Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen to quickly implement the Health Coverage Tax Credit’s (HCTC) Advance Payment Program. This program is vital for Delphi salaried retirees facing health-related expenses.
“The HCTC passed with strong bipartisan support in both chambers and is incredibly important to thousands of American families,” the lawmakers wrote. “We urge the IRS to do everything in its power to rapidly implement the HCTC Advance Payment Program and give eligible American families the support that they deserve.”
Portman and Turner have repeatedly fought for the Delphi salaried retirees who had their pensions unjustly terminated in the wake of the federal government’s bailout of General Motors. Just recently, Portman and Turner continued their efforts to obtain information regarding the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s delay in providing final benefit determinations for Delphi retirees.
Portman recently applauded the president signing into law Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) legislation, which included an extension of the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) for Delphi retirees and retired United Steelworkers. This language was authored by Portman.
Dear Commissioner Koskinen,
We request an update on the efforts to implement the Health Coverage Tax Credit’s (HCTC) Advance Payment Program, which the President signed into law on June 29, 2015.
As you know, the HCTC helps make healthcare affordable for those receiving Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits or for 55-64 year old Americans whose pensions were terminated and are being administered by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation. The HCTC passed with strong bipartisan support in both chambers and is incredibly important to thousands of American families.
These families that depend on the HCTC will be disappointed if the IRS delays in implementing the Advance Payment Program until mid-2016. Given the complexities of family medical bills and annual insurance enrollment periods, this relaxed timing is causing great concern for Americans waiting for this critical support. We urge the IRS to do everything in its power to rapidly implement the HCTC Advance Payment Program and give eligible American families the support that they deserve.
Thank you for your attention to this issue.