True. The only case for it would be if you wanted to favor unionization.
Which I actually favor, but, really, there has to be a better way...
I was on a conference call with two congressmen today, and one did his best
to say that this would not be appropriate and that further changes would be
needed, without precisely denying it.
Best,
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: Anglo-American Health Policy Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Uwe E. Reinhardt
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 3:05 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Today's spotlight
I cannot see how any principled person could support unionization and
collective bargaining agreements as a criterion for granting an
exemption from the proposed excise tax. It is not only pure politics,
but rather odious pure politics.
-----Original Message-----
From: Anglo-American Health Policy Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Adam Oliver
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 11:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Today's spotlight
SPOTLIGHT: EXCISING THE EXCISE?
Union leaders said yesterday that they have reached a tentative
agreement to exempt collectively bargained health care plans from an
excise tax on high-cost, employer-provided insurance plans that is
included in the Senate's health care bill. The deal was struck between
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka,
Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern and United
Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger. Exemptions for collectively
bargained plans would mollify unions -- which often bargain for generous
health plans instead of higher wages -- and would allow President Obama
to keep his pledge not to impose taxes on people whose annual incomes
are less than $200,000. Obama has expressed a preference for the excise
tax over an alternative revenue-raising proposal in the House bill to
levy a surtax on individuals with annual incomes greater than $500,000
and couples with annual income exceeding $1 million. House Ways and
Means Committee Chair Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) said he hopes an agreement
can be reached on the excise tax during a meeting today involving
congressional leaders and Obama.
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