New Health Care in Motion: Inflation Reduction Act: A Really Big Deal

Today, the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation released a new issue of its Health Care in Motion digest titled, Inflation Reduction Act: A Really Big Deal, offering an analysis of the healthcare provisions in the Democrats’ ambitious reconciliation package.

On August 7, after over a year of congressional strife, Senate Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) with a razor-thin majority and Vice President Kamala Harris casting the 51^st vote. The bill – which includes significant investments to combat climate change, invest in clean energy, and ensure access to affordable health care – was passed using the budget reconciliation process. This wonky process allowed Democrats to pass the bill with a simple majority in the Senate instead of the 60-vote filibuster-proof majority required for regular order legislation. With the House of Representatives passing the bill on August 12 along a straight party line vote, the IRA is expected to be signed by President Biden this week. This brief will focus on the healthcare provisions included (and ultimately not included) in the new package.