Archbishop welcomes Senate bill's provisions on environment, drug prices

The chairman of the U.S. bishops' domestic policy committee praised the Senate for tackling environmental concerns and lowering drug prices by passing the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

The Senate approved the measure via the budget reconciliation process Aug. 7 in a 51-50 vote; Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tiebreaking vote. The U.S. House is scheduled to vote on the measure Aug. 12.

In a statement released late Aug. 9, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City called it "prudent" that the measure "contains revenue provisions to offset the investments when concerns around inflation and the economy are high."

He is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.

According to a one-page summary released by Senate Democrats, the bill will spend approximately $300 billion on deficit reduction to reduce inflation and $369 billion on energy security and climate change programs over the next 10 years.

It provides for investment in domestic energy production and manufacturing, and aims to reduce carbon emissions by roughly 40% by 2030.

The bill also allows Medicare to negotiate for prescription drug prices and extends the expanded Affordable Care Act program through 2025.

At the same time, the summary said, the bill is expected to generate $725 billion in revenue.

By setting a corporate minimum tax rate of 15%, the measure is expected to generate $313 billion in revenue. The lowered costs of prescription drugs would save $288 billion in federal subsidies provided to eligible low-income individuals to help them cover drug costs.

Also, $80 billion would be spent to enhance IRS tax collection with the hiring of some 87,000 new agents to audit corporations and individual taxpayers, especially those in high-income brackets. This is expected to generate $124 billion in revenue.

"Climate change is a global challenge that requires courageous, long-term action from Congress, and I am grateful for the many substantial climate provisions that bring the United States closer to honoring its emissions reductions goals under the Paris Agreement, which Pope Francis has strongly encouraged us to meet," Coakley said in his statement.

"This is a meaningful effort to care for our common home. Provisions in this package will help to curb greenhouse gas emissions while seeking to safeguard the economy and give preference to the poor," he said.

"I am also grateful for provisions in the bill that will lower prescription drug costs for those who rely on Medicare, and continue to call on lawmakers to ensure all health care policy respects the inherent dignity and right to life of every human being," he added.