SPOTLIGHT: TAXING WORK
President Obama yesterday met with congressional Democratic leaders to
work out the differences between the House and Senate health reform
bills. The meeting was attended by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)
and the chairs of three House committees that have jurisdiction over
elements of health reform. According to House Energy and Commerce
Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the president's message to the
members was "get it done." During the meeting, Obama urged the House
Democrats to drop their opposition to an excise tax on high-cost
insurance plans -- a key feature of the Senate bill. Many House
Democrats and organized labor -- a key Democratic constituency -- are
strongly opposed to the excise tax, which they say would go against
Obama's campaign pledge not to tax the middle class because it would
unfairly affect union workers who often negotiate increased benefits
instead of higher wages. However, observers say it is likely that the
House eventually will accept the excise tax -- possibly starting with
plans costing upward of $25,000, with special provisions put in place
for certain workers.
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