HB 2391-B 1.5% New Taxes on Healthcare Insurance Premiums

VOTE: NO – Governor Signed

Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Measures/Overview/HB2391
Committee assigned to bill:https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017I1/Committees/JRF301/2017-09-05-10-00/Agenda

This bill creates a new tax on healthcare insurance premiums of 1.5% administered by the government with uncertain actions to be taken and provides for special treatment of certain hospitals.

Fiscal Responsibility
This is no more than another example of the government operating in an idea that the public is a never ending source of revenue. Modifies hospital assessment by making type A hospitals and type B hospitals subject to assessment and excluding public hospitals other than health district hospitals. Authorizes Oregon Health Authority to impose lower rate of assessment on type A hospitals and type B hospitals.

Limited Government
Government is expanding its ability to tax the public to cover commitments that it makes without knowing where the money is coming from to pay for the services and without obtaining federal waver.