A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a permanent extension of the lower threshold for the medical expense deduction.

Mr. President, for Americans struggling with high health care expenses, the tax deduction for certain medical expenses continues to be of significant assistance for many taxpayers. But unless it is extended, the income threshold for this vital deduction will increase at the end of this year.

That is why I rise to introduce with my colleague, Senator Cantwell, a bill that would provide for a permanent extension of the medical expense deduction for unreimbursed health care costs that exceed 7.5 percent of a taxpayer's income.

For those who suffer from pre-existing medical conditions, have chronic medical conditions, experience unexpected illnesses or injuries, or find that long-term care services are a necessity but are not covered by insurance, health care expenses can quickly become an unbearable burden. Too many Americans are forced to choose between purchasing medical services and making other equally necessary expenditures.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) increased the income threshold for taxpayers to deduct their medical expenses from 7.5 percent to 10 percent. For individuals under 65, the increase went into effect in 2013. Those over 65 would have been exposed to this higher threshold for the first time in 2017.

When the ACA increase was phased in, individuals under 65 struggling with serious health conditions saw their financial health worsen. For example, a 2016 study estimates that parents, including many with limited means, already provide nearly $36 billion annually in uncompensated medical care at home to children who have special health care needs, such as muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis. A 2016 survey of cancer survivors showed that one-third go into debt and of those more than half incurred more than $10,000 in expenses.

Medical debt is a serious challenge facing millions of families in our country, and as we endeavor to moderate rising health costs, we should also make every effort to ensure that we lower their tax burden as well.

Some erroneously believe that this deduction only benefits the wealthy, when in fact, lower and middle-income Americans felt the impact of the increase. According to AARP, nearly 70 percent of taxpayers taking the deduction in 2014 reported income of $75,000 or less, and nearly half reported incomes of $50,000 or less. In my home state of Maine, according to AARP, 35,764 Maine residents claimed this deduction in 2014, while 18,788 of these individuals reported an income of $50,000 or less.

This is why during tax reform last year, I introduced an amendment that rolled back the income threshold to 7.5 percent for all taxpayers to deduct their medical expenses for 2017 and 2018. My amendment expanded upon the efforts of Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown, who had worked to prevent this increase from going into effect for individuals over 65.

The AARP and 44 other consumer groups strongly endorsed the effort, stating: ``. . . it provides important tax relief which helps offset the costs of acute and chronic medical conditions for older Americans, children, pregnant women, disabled individuals, and other adults as well as the costs associated with long term care and assisted living.''

While I am proud my amendment was included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, it is set to expire at the end of the calendar year. I urge my colleagues to join Senator Cantwell and me in supporting this legislation as we take one more step toward addressing the impact of health care costs.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, for Americans struggling with high health care expenses, the tax deduction for certain medical expenses continues to be of significant assistance for many taxpayers. But unless it is extended, the income threshold for this vital deduction will increase at the end of this year.

That is why I rise to introduce with my colleague, Senator Cantwell, a bill that would provide for a permanent extension of the medical expense deduction for unreimbursed health care costs that exceed 7.5 percent of a taxpayer's income.

For those who suffer from pre-existing medical conditions, have chronic medical conditions, experience unexpected illnesses or injuries, or find that long-term care services are a necessity but are not covered by insurance, health care expenses can quickly become an unbearable burden. Too many Americans are forced to choose between purchasing medical services and making other equally necessary expenditures.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) increased the income threshold for taxpayers to deduct their medical expenses from 7.5 percent to 10 percent. For individuals under 65, the increase went into effect in 2013. Those over 65 would have been exposed to this higher threshold for the first time in 2017.

When the ACA increase was phased in, individuals under 65 struggling with serious health conditions saw their financial health worsen. For example, a 2016 study estimates that parents, including many with limited means, already provide nearly $36 billion annually in uncompensated medical care at home to children who have special health care needs, such as muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis. A 2016 survey of cancer survivors showed that one-third go into debt and of those more than half incurred more than $10,000 in expenses.

Medical debt is a serious challenge facing millions of families in our country, and as we endeavor to moderate rising health costs, we should also make every effort to ensure that we lower their tax burden as well.

Some erroneously believe that this deduction only benefits the wealthy, when in fact, lower and middle-income Americans felt the impact of the increase. According to AARP, nearly 70 percent of taxpayers taking the deduction in 2014 reported income of $75,000 or less, and nearly half reported incomes of $50,000 or less. In my home state of Maine, according to AARP, 35,764 Maine residents claimed this deduction in 2014, while 18,788 of these individuals reported an income of $50,000 or less.

This is why during tax reform last year, I introduced an amendment that rolled back the income threshold to 7.5 percent for all taxpayers to deduct their medical expenses for 2017 and 2018. My amendment expanded upon the efforts of Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown, who had worked to prevent this increase from going into effect for individuals over 65.

The AARP and 44 other consumer groups strongly endorsed the effort, stating: ``. . . it provides important tax relief which helps offset the costs of acute and chronic medical conditions for older Americans, children, pregnant women, disabled individuals, and other adults as well as the costs associated with long term care and assisted living.''

While I am proud my amendment was included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, it is set to expire at the end of the calendar year. I urge my colleagues to join Senator Cantwell and me in supporting this legislation as we take one more step toward addressing the impact of health care costs.

Thank you, Mr. President.