President Barack Obama's brings double-speak to a new level as he now appears to be open to taxing health benefits. Remember he campaigned against it during the presidential primaries?
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., after having a private meeting with Obama and other Democratic senators reported that,
It's on the table. It's and option.
However, first the White House said that the President did not want to go that routebut that all options should be considered. He and the Democrats are looking for way to pay for a costly health care overhaul that would extend coverage to 50 million Americans who are now uninsured. That could cost some $1.5 trillion over 10 years. The government would get $250 billion a year from health benefits given to employees by employers that would be taxed as income the same as their wages.
During the campaign, Obama criticized rival Sen. John McCain for proposing the same basic idea. Now he seems ready to listen to anything about health care that will get it through Congress, including the taxing the benefits That includes cuts to Medicare. He tried to get Congress to limit tax deductions for the rich but when they realized it would hurt charitable contributions, he backed off.
Obama apparently is hearing from members of his own party and the labor unions who have turned thumbs down on such an approach to pay for the massive health care spending that is expected be voted in in 2009.
One way or another, Obama is determined to have a health plan enacted before the American public learns what is in it, how they will be effected by a government-run health insurance program and what it will cost. If voters are looking for transparency, what they may find instead is Obama double-speak.
More articles about proposals for health care and taxes
American doctors opting out of treating Medicare patients
Health Care Political News Roundup May 10, 2009
Health care plans under consideration by U.S. Congress
Obama health care plans prompts American to look for private care
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Comments
The amount of 'Robin Hooding' this administration is poised to do is scary.
If they are bent on 'providing' health insurance to all, make ALL pay for it.
No more excuses, No more freebies. If ALL chip-in, then it would be easier to implement. I'm tired of having to pay for others.
We have Americans with flat-screen TVs, expensive cell phones, car payments on newer cars, and then desire FREE healthcare...
No more free rides.
My husband has to pay a deductible for his health care benefits; I believe the amount is $1000 for medical, and the same when he uses his dental. He does not carry me on the insurance because it would take an added $200 per month from our income…now, Obama-bozo wants to tax the insurance that people pay for and that’s just ludicrous. No, I do not have insurance, and yes, I do go without seeing a doctor…but this administration is about to cause an emotional break down in the nation that might send us all into psychiatric care. People are fed up with Obamanomics…we cannot sustain his spending, and he knows it. With the likes of Chavez patting Obama on the back for a job well-done, the sheep better open their eyes…this is not only outrageous, it’s possible that some of what this man has done is treasonous.
Hay Mike its right in front of your eyes everyday the congress needs to write laws to stop stupid laws suits.in medical and school systems. medicare is being ripped off everyday by company's that say medicare beneficiaries that paper works to hard let us handle it we will get the government to pay plus we will make a ton of money on your s/s number over billing the government see all crooks in Washington would like to wright off medicare and s/s was broke back in the sixty's
I dont ever remember being asked if i wanted government health care and ive been around since 1955 ive seen alot of good people go to washington and get taken in by devils outpost
Chavez has warned Castro that if he and Castro are not careful they will be to the RIGHT of Obama and look Conservative.
HaaHaaHaaa
Its a damn shame the sheeple in this country do not see that.
The problem is that the repsonible people have to pay for the "Octomoms" and people are irresponsible at it is. If we nationalize or Universalize (However they want to say it) we will just breed more of the same problem. We should look at Europe which is crumbing under heavy entitlements as a reason not to do this.
I have not seen the "Messiah" address the trial lawyers as of yet as part of any reform by the way.
Michael Detwiler-Nashville Weather Examiner says: "The amount of 'Robin Hooding' this administration is poised to do is scary."
I almost agree with you Michael, except that Robin Hood took from the government and gave it back to the people. obamUH is stealing from the rich, the poor and everyone in between and giving it to his campaign contributors and cronies.
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