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Kildee Applauds House Passage of Historic Bill to Help Lower Costs for Michigan Families

November 19, 2021

Build Back Better Act Will Create Jobs, Cut Taxes for the Middle Class and Lower Everyday Cost of Prescription Drugs and Child Care

WASHINGTON—Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today applauded the passage of the Build Back Better Act—a bill that will help lower everyday costs for Michigan's working families. The Build Back Better Act, which is fully paid for, will cut taxes for middle class families and lower the out-of-pocket cost of health insurance premiums, prescription drugs and child care, in addition to combatting the climate crisis.

"The Build Back Better Act will give Michigan's working families a much-needed leg up by lowering taxes for the middle class and making it easier to afford prescription drugs and child care," said Congressman Kildee. "This legislation also makes the largest ever investment in combatting the climate crisis, which we see impacting our state and the Great Lakes every day. This bill does not add to the national debt and is fully paid for by making the wealthiest individuals and large corporations pay their fair share. I am proud to support this investment in Michigan's families."

The Build Back Better Act will:

  • Cut Taxes for Michigan Families: By extending the Child Tax Credit—a monthly tax cut for families with children—and making it permanently accessible to low-income families, Michigan families with children will have more money in their pocket to afford necessities like food and rent. The Child Tax Credit was first expanded in the American Rescue Plan earlier this year and has lifted thousands of Michigan children out of poverty.
  • Lower Health Care Costs: The bill expands Medicare coverage to include hearing care, extends premium support for families who purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act, and creates a new, out-of-pocket cap on what seniors pay for their drugs in Medicare Part D.
  • Lower Prescription Drug Costs: By allowing Medicare to negotiate the price of drugs for the first time—including drugs like insulin—the bill will lower the cost of prescription drugs for millions of Michiganders.
  • Make Child Care Affordable: By cutting the average Michigan family's child care costs by more than half, the bill ensures no Michigan family pays more than 7% of their income on high quality child care. Currently, the average Michigan family pays 21% of their income on child care.
  • Ensures High Quality Preschool for Every 3- and 4-Year-Old in Michigan: The bill expands access to free, parent-chosen preschool to over 200,000 3- and 4-year-olds in Michigan and increases the quality of preschool for Michigan children who are already enrolled.
  • Universal Paid Family and Medical Leave: The bill establishes a universal and permanent paid family and medical leave program to provide four weeks of paid parental, family caregiving, and medical leave to all Michiganders.
  • Lower Energy Costs through Combating Climate Change: By making the largest effort to combat climate change in American history, investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and reducing carbon pollution, this bill will protect our Great Lakes, create good-paying union jobs and save Michiganders as much as $326 million on energy bills by 2030 and billions more on potential damages caused by extreme weather. Over the past decade, Michigan experienced 19 extreme weather events, costing Michigan families $5 billion in damages.