Tax Deductions for Out-Of-Pocket Medical Costs Scrapped in Bill

Americans would no longer be able to deduct medical expenses on their taxes if the House GOP tax bill proposed Nov. 2 becomes law, a provision that could hit some of the sickest the most.

The Republican proposal would eliminate a deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The deduction is allowed under current law if the expenses exceed 10 percent of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. The expenses can include payments for prescription drugs, eyeglasses, health-insurance premiums, inpatient drug-addiction treatment, and admission to medical conferences relating to a chronic disease that the taxpayer or a family member has, according to the ...