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The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
Table of Contents
The inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is a United States federal law enacted on August 16,2022,that aims to lower healthcare costs,address climate change,and raise taxes on large corporations.
Signed into law by President Joe Biden, the Act represents a meaningful legislative achievement for the Biden administration and the Democratic Party. It passed the Senate thru a process called reconciliation, which allowed it to bypass a filibuster with a simple majority vote. The law allocates approximately $740 billion over ten years, with the stated goal of reducing the federal deficit, lowering prescription drug prices, and investing in clean energy technologies.
For example, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated in July 2022 that the Act would reduce the deficit by $300 billion over the next decade. CBO Report
Key Provisions: Healthcare Costs
The Inflation Reduction Act directly addresses healthcare costs, primarily through allowing Medicare to negotiate the prices of certain prescription drugs.
Prior to the Act, Medicare was prohibited from negotiating drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. The law allows Medicare to negotiate the prices of 10 high-cost drugs beginning in 2026, with the number increasing over time. This provision is projected to save Medicare and beneficiaries billions of dollars. The Act also extends enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies through 2025, preventing premium increases for millions of Americans.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS),the law will lower prescription drug costs for seniors and people with disabilities. CMS Fact Sheet
Key Provisions: Climate Change
A substantial portion of the Inflation Reduction Act is dedicated to combating climate change through investments in clean energy and climate resilience.
The Act provides tax credits for renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, as well as incentives for energy efficiency improvements. It also includes funding for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, including tax credits for purchasing new and used EVs. Furthermore, the law invests in climate resilience measures to help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events.
The Department of Energy estimates that the Act’s clean energy provisions will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. Department of Energy – Inflation Reduction Act
Key Provisions: Tax provisions
The inflation Reduction Act introduces tax changes primarily aimed at large corporations and high-income earners.
A key provision is a 15% minimum tax on corporations with over $1 billion in profits. This aims to ensure that profitable corporations pay a minimum level of tax, even if thay utilize tax deductions and credits. The Act also increases funding for the Internal revenue Service (IRS) to improve tax enforcement and compliance. These tax provisions are projected to generate revenue to help offset the costs of the Act’s other provisions.
The Joint Committee on Taxation projected that the corporate minimum tax would raise approximately $315 billion over ten years. Joint Committee on Taxation Publications
Ongoing Developments (as of January 27, 2026)
As of January 27, 2026, the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act continues to unfold. Initial impacts on prescription drug prices are beginning to be felt, with the first negotiated prices taking effect in 2026. Investments in clean energy are driving growth in the renewable energy sector, and the increased IRS funding is leading to increased tax audits of large corporations.
Recent reports from the Energy Facts Administration (EIA) indicate a significant increase in solar and wind energy capacity additions since the Act’s passage. Energy Information Administration. Legal challenges to certain provisions of the Act, notably regarding the IRS funding, have been
