Workers' Health Benefits Eyed for Taxation

[cal04]

Revenue Would Fund Expansion of Coverage
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/11/AR2009031103827.html?wprss=rss_business

With President Obama's plan to tax the rich to pay for health care facing deep skepticism on Capitol Hill, key lawmakers are pressing a different way to raise money: taxing the health benefits workers receive from their employers.

Since companies began offering group health insurance on a large scale during World War II, the value of that benefit has never been counted as income, reducing workers' taxable earnings by an average of $9,000 a year for family coverage.

In recent weeks, however, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the tax-writing Finance Committee, has repeatedly advocated changing tax laws to include employer benefits, arguing that it makes sense to fund the health-care changes by sucking cash out of the existing system. Meanwhile, 13 other senators -- from both sides of the aisle -- have signed on to a plan for universal coverage that includes a tax on employer-provided benefits.

"I think it's extremely important from a credibility standpoint to show the American people that you're making savings in the enormous sums now being spent on health care before you go out and ask them for billions of dollars more," said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), one of the sponsors of that proposal. "And I don't think I'm the only senator who feels that way."

[doc03]

1. Isn't that what McCain was going to do? I thought that

was settled back in November?

[cabluedem]

2. This is just WRONG. nt

[Triana]

3. WRONG! It's time to send NASTYGRAMS to Baucus and the 13 other a$$holes

and to whitehouse.gov

THIS IS BULLSHIT!

[OhioChick]

4. Bullshit is right.

:mad:

[Triana]

5. they wouldn't be "sucking cash out of the existing system"...

...they'd be sucking MORE cash out of the middle class.

WHY bother giving us tax cuts with one hand - while INCREASING our taxes - with the other hand by taxing our health benefits?

:wtf:

:grr:

[wroberts189]

7. Yep... Wyden says "ask them for billions of dollars more" what??

Ask? He is not asking in any metaphorical way. Wyden wants to take those billions right out of your paycheck

His "logic" makes no understandable sense.

[wroberts189]

6. What a STUPID idea ...are they trying to lose the next election? nt

[The Traveler]

8. I was just asking myself the same question

This is so wrong headed. What are these idiots smoking? And more to the point, why aren't they sharing it with the rest of us?!??!

Trav

[wroberts189]

9. It would be nice if they shared the health plan they get....

Then we could afford to get some of whatever they are smoking. Must be some real good Pineapple Express.

[Triana]

10. Tell ya what - if I get wind of those 13 names there will be a very threatening

nastygram on its way to them - telling them if the LIKE their jobs at all, they had better NOT support this or they WILL BE VOTED OUT OF OFFICE and any Dem challengers supported instead.

And a copy to Obama.


f*cking IDIOTS!

[raccoon]

11. What are "Workers' Health Benefits?" :sarcasm:

Haven't had those since 1993.