Urgent! Congress set to tax fire fighter's healthcare!
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Dear Members,
Ben Timmins, Deputy Director – Government Affairs with the IAFF, is asking for our help.
He has informed us that, in the next few weeks, Congress is expected to take action on legislation
that would tax fire fighters’ health care benefits. Currently,
employer-provided healthcare is excluded from federal taxation. However,
far right conservatives in the U.S. House of Representatives want to
limit the ability for employers to exclude from taxation the healthcare
benefits they provide to their workers. This can be viewed in no other
way than as an attempt to raise taxes on the middle class and shift
healthcare costs onto workers, including fire fighters.
We understand the House Committee on Ways and Means will be considering
legislation either the week of February 27 or the week of March 6 which
would include a cap on the healthcare tax exclusion. The IAFF is
committed to defeating this effort, but to do so, we need your help.
Before they have the chance to vote, members will return home starting
tomorrow for a week-long district recess period. We are asking that you
and take this time to lobby your Representative on this urgent issue.
Please try to schedule an in-person meeting with your member and/or
their staff during the week of February 20th. If you are unable to get a meeting, please let you representative's staff know how you feel about the issue.
The ASK:
Please ask your member to oppose any legislation or amendment that would
cap or eliminate the health care tax exclusion for employer-provided
healthcare. The IAFF has continuously opposed any attempt to tax the
health benefits of fire fighters and must oppose this dangerous idea.
Talking Points
Attached to this page please find IAFF talking points that will help you
advocate your position on the tax exclusion when you meet with your
member of Congress.
Thank you, in advance, for your time and work on this issue.
Sincerely,
Your Local 81 Executive Board
Download:
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