Martin Heinrich: “I start by thanking my colleague, Senator Heller of Nevada, for his partnership and his leadership in pushing this issue…”

“I start by thanking my colleague, Senator Heller of Nevada, for his partnership and his leadership in pushing this issue forward and doing so effectively. I think the amendment we saw last week speaks to just how bipartisan this has become and how important it is. These days, there truly aren't many things around this place where we get a 90-to-10 vote. This tax, which will go into effect in 2018, was meant to help pay for other parts of the Affordable Care Act by charging a 40-percent tax on the highest cost, employer-based health plans. It was supposed to target only overly generous health plans--the ``Cadillacs on the health care highways,'' so to speak. In practice, however, the tax has become more of a ``Ford Focus tax.'' It will impact middle-income families who, for reasons that are largely outside their control, have health plans that already or soon will reach their policy limits. The tax will force many employers to pay steep taxes on their employees' health plans and flexible spending accounts. It will possibly eliminate some employer-provided health care plans altogether. The Cadillac tax has already limited options for New Mexicans to curb costs and keep plans affordable. Let me give an example. I recently heard from Jamie Wagoner, the benefits and compensation manager for the city of Farmington, NM. Under her leadership, the city began implementing wellness programs to slow the increase in health spending--exactly what we all wanted.…”