Obama flip-flops again: willing to consider tax on employer-paid health benefits

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

President Obama, in a pivot from some of his harshest campaign rhetoric, told Democratic senators yesterday that he is willing to consider taxing employer-sponsored health benefits to help pay for a broad expansion of coverage.

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White House officials moved quickly to clarify that taxing the health insurance provided by businesses is not Obama's first choice, but aides refused to rule out the possibility.

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Health analysts from across the political spectrum have pressed for changing the tax treatment, arguing in part that the exclusion provides the greatest tax relief to high-salaried workers with generous insurance plans.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/0...l_necessar.html

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Nevertheless, the issue represents treacherous politics for Obama, given his attacks on Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who advocated a similar approach during the campaign.

"For the first time in American history, he wants to tax your health benefits," Obama said in September. "Apparently, Senator McCain doesn't think it's enough that your health premiums have doubled. He thinks you should have to pay taxes on them, too."

Nice....

Well - I guess if they start taxing it, people will just forgo plans and get onboard the national health care feeding tube....

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

my neighbor isn't too happy about this.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

He's getting more and more like Stalin everyday.