The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) stated in an economic outlook report, “The Budget and Economic Outlook: An Update,” on August 19 that the new health care reform law has reduced projected deficits over the 2011-2020 period by about $179 billion.  CBO issued the update as one of a series of annual reports on the state of the budget and the economy.  The $179 billion figure is about $40 billion higher than CBO previously estimated in its March 18 analysis of the legislation.  Among other provisions of the reform law discussed in updated estimates was the new refundable tax credit, or “premium assistance credit” for eligible individuals and families who purchase health insurance through the new exchanges.  These credits will reduce revenues by an estimated $134 billion over the 2011-2020 period.  But the additional taxes that the legislation imposes on high-income individuals and families are estimated to boost revenues by a total of $251 billion over the same period.   

About Sam Fish

Sam Fish has over 40 years of legal experience in federal and state human services laws and programs, having joined PCG in 1995 after serving as Chief Counsel, Region I, for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for more than 25 years. At PCG, Sam provides legal advice and counsel and has served on many projects that required legal research and interpretation and implementation of many federal and state laws. He has also participated in in-house training in new litigation areas, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Balanced Budget Act (BBA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). He is available for legal guidance in program areas including school-based billing, third-party liability, Olmstead implementation, and Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. Currently, he is providing guidance and counsel in the interpretation and implementation of the new health care legislation.

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