Finance Committee March 2025 update
The Finance and Revenue Committee of the UHPGB met for the ninth time on March 18, 2025.
Summary by Sandra Coyner, HCAO/HCAO-Action (SandraCoyner@hcao.org)
The first part of the meeting was a presentation by Chunhuei Chi on basic frameworks, terminology, and equity issues in taxation for health care financing (same presentation given to GB on Feb. 20).
The committee received a report by Charlie Swanson on issues that need discussion and decision, which was given a brief general summary by Kim Yee, new staff member for the UHPGB (until June).
Most of the meeting was then a ranging discussion of many topics, including some opinions being expressed, but no issues were decided or put to a consensus test. Topics included: Medicare (including Part B premiums); pros/cons/details/goals for income tax and payroll tax; employers possibly not wanting to “subsidize” Medicare/Medicaid with payroll tax, and how they are already subsidizing through general taxes and cost-shifting; need for contingency plan(s) in view of looming federal cuts and uncertainties; “normalization,” meaning having providers be compensated the same for the same work; getting revenue to be not subject to the kicker; reserves, which are huge (billions) and held by many different entities.
EcoNW is now on board as a consultant. Committee asked for future work to include some specifics on taxes and is eager to see “personas,” ie. costs to be borne by individuals and businesses of specific type (large, small, wealthy, etc.).
Future meetings - looking somewhat urgently to convene a panel to discuss administrative costs (and thus savings potential). Next meeting will be April 15, skipping April 1.
