The Inflation Reduction Act was signed by the president. Reducing health-care costs is one of the goals of the $739 billion spending package.
Experts don't know if the bill will be able to curb rising prices for Americans. The headline provisions of the legislation, such as a 15% minimum corporate tax on companies earning more than $1 billion per year and a new excise tax on companies buying back shares of their own stock, are not likely to change the finances of everyday Americans.
Some of the bill's less-heralded provisions could have a big impact on your wallet. The bill could affect your finances.
The bill will allow households receiving help paying for health insurance through the public marketplace to continue to qualify for more generous subsidies at the end of the year. The tax breaks on health insurance are extended.
Millions of Americans have their premiums staying the same.
Most of the 13 million people who get subsidies would see their premiums go up without the extension.
For those who buy coverage through healthcare.gov or their state's exchange, the subsidy extension is significant savings.
Some people could have seen their premiums go up more than 50%.
You might see a reduction in what you pay for prescription drugs if you enroll in Medicare.
The Department of Health and Human Services will be able to negotiate prices for some of the most expensive drugs under the new legislation.
It will take some time to negotiate. There will be negotiated prices for the first batches of Part D drugs. Many of the drugs that Medicare patients spend the most money on have been on the market for a long time without generic competition.
According to analysts at Bank of America, Medicare negotiations could cut the prices seniors pay for drugs by 25% in the next ten years.
The new law includes incentives for consumers to upgrade their homes to make them more energy efficient.
Home energy projects such as heat pumps, rooftop solar panels, and basic weatherization can be eligible for upfront discounts or tax refunds. According to an analysis from CNBC, you may be able to get up to $10,000 in tax breaks.
It is possible that these incentives will affect what you pay for utilities. Between home energy improvements and cheaper commodity prices, the average household in the U.S. could save between $170 and 220 annually.
An existing tax credit on the purchase of clean vehicles such as electric cars, plug-in hybrid and cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells will be extended. There is a credit for the purchase of new vehicles.
If the price of the vehicle you want to purchase exceeds certain thresholds, you won't be eligible.
The purchase of used cars with a credit of up to $4,000 is subject to the same rules.
This calculator from Rewiring America can help you figure out what energy-efficiency tax refunds and discounts are available to you.
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The Inflation Reduction Act won't curb inflation over the short run.
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