[Viafdrear]

Should be interesting.....

Bush to Urge New Tax Plan for Health Care Coverage - NY Times, Jan. 20, 2007:

President Bush intends to use his State of the Union address Tuesday to tackle the rising cost of health care with a one-two punch: tax breaks to help low-income people buy health insurance and tax increases for some workers whose health plans cost significantly more than the national average. So, if you're low income, you'll get tax breaks to help you afford some level of health care. That sounds good. There are way too many people in this country without health care.

But if you already have health care, and the cost of that health care is "too much", you'll get hit with a tax increase. Hmmmmmm.

Is this the compassionate, or the conservative?

Aren't I right in saying that, in the area of taxes anyway, Bush is truly a "stay the course" kinda guy who never knew a tax cut to be a bad thing and consistently vowed not to raise taxes?

[Gerribase]

Depends on what they mean by costing "too much". This sounds like they are trying to penalize people who opt for HMO style coverage over the less expensive, but less profitable to the insurer, high deductible PPO style plan.

Matt

[TheBestCheapestOEM]

So because my job supplies me with health care I have to pay higher taxes? But Bush gives the richest millionaires and billionaires a tax cut.

Greeeeaaaaat.

[Thifiadardivy]

"Tax cuts to millionaires"? Where did it say they get tax cuts in that plan? The only ones getting breaks are the uninsured (so says the article), the raised taxes are on ones with insurance already, which the Dems are arguing is a burden for middle class families.

In any event, that's an interesting move by Bush. Hopefully he'll go into more detail in his address so I can form a better opinion.

[OpVJokl8]

So because my job supplies me with health care I have to pay higher taxes? But Bush gives the richest millionaires and billionaires a tax cut.

Greeeeaaaaat.

I don't understand what you are complaining about. This is exactly the kind of thing you support, Sam. Bush is going to take from you and give to someone else. What the problem?? We have to help the poor, remember?

[TheBestCheapestOEM]

I don't understand what you are complaining about. This is exactly the kind of thing you support, Sam. Bush is going to take from you and give to someone else. What the problem?? We have to help the poor, remember?

The working poor have jobs that supply health insurance. They are getting a tax hike.

Since you are mocking me for being against this tax hike, do we take it that you are for it?

[Prererularl]

The working poor have jobs that supply health insurance. They are getting a tax hike.

Since you are mocking me for being against this tax hike, do we take it that you are for it?

You're under the impression that these "working poor" would qualify for the tax hike .. but I'm not surprised since you always seem to jump to conclusions and go-with-the-flow.

[kranfid]

The president's plan would make health insurance tax deductible, meaning that people who cannot afford health insurance still won't be able to afford health insurance. But those who can afford to buy their own insurance will get the deduction.
For workers with "gold plated health plans" the president suggests a tax, how many of you have health insurance that's really "too good"?
In other words, tax breaks for those who purchase their own health insurance, including the wealthy. Tax hikes for workers with good health plans and tax deductions for those who can't afford health insurance, and probably don't pay much in taxes now.
Another Bush plan that completely misses the point.

[Viafdrear]

In any event, that's an interesting move by Bush. Hopefully he'll go into more detail in his address so I can form a better opinion.

I agree, both that it's interesting and that I need more details.

But the part of this that caught my eye was that a plan that involved a tax increase - on anyone - would be proposed by Bush as part of a solution to a major problem, health care. If Bush, as today's King of the Tax Cut, sees value in raising anyone's tax on anything, can the end of the world as we know it be far behind?

[Thifiadardivy]

True, Curly. I just wish more on this thread wouldn't make such an implicit judgement before hearing all of the facts and details about the plan. Who knows -- the bill might actually be crap. But why not at least wait until he unfolds it all? Sheesh. I don't support Bush much more than many others do (in fact on a few issues I downright loathe the guy), but I'm not going to crucify him before I even know all of the points he has to offer. This article is not the gospel nor the plan itself he is aiming to propose.

It kind of reinforces the pitiful state of Republican/Democrat 'my-side' cheerleader BS.

[Gedominew]

"Tax cuts to millionaires"? Where did it say they get tax cuts in that plan? The only ones getting breaks are the uninsured (so says the article), the raised taxes are on ones with insurance already, which the Dems are arguing is a burden for middle class families.

In any event, that's an interesting move by Bush. Hopefully he'll go into more detail in his address so I can form a better opinion.

I agree but I gotta tell you so far I am not impressed. I personally think they should leave this to the states.

[TheBestCheapestOEM]

You're under the impression that these "working poor" would qualify for the tax hike .. but I'm not surprised since you always seem to jump to conclusions and go-with-the-flow.

I guess you are under the impression that working poor won't qualify. But the tax seems to be for anyone of any salary who has a good health plan with their job. So are you telling me there is a clause for people who make under a certain wage? Or are you just talking shit?

[Grizli]

If you look at what he's proposing, you'll see that he's basically striving to provide the same level of 'insurance' (more truly a partial catastrophic-health plan) as Wal-Mart provides their employees. He intends to let this low standard be the norm for everyone, so as to get the Insurance Industry off the hook.

[kranfid]

I agree, both that it's interesting and that I need more details.

But the part of this that caught my eye was that a plan that involved a tax increase - on anyone - would be proposed by Bush as part of a solution to a major problem, health care. If Bush, as today's King of the Tax Cut, sees value in raising anyone's tax on anything, can the end of the world as we know it be far behind?

Bush has always been about raising taxes on the Middle Class to offset tax cuts for the wealthy.
a) He gives everyone a tax cut, the biggest cuts go to the highest brackets.
b) He runs huge deficits that will create inflation.
c) Bracket creep pushes the Middle Class into higher tax brackets, while leaving the wealthy with the same lower top rate.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

[TheBestCheapestOEM]

Bush has always been about raising taxes on the Middle Class to offset tax cuts for the wealthy.
a) He gives everyone a tax cut, the biggest cuts go to the highest brackets.
b) He runs huge deficits that will create inflation.
c) Bracket creep pushes the Middle Class into higher tax brackets, while leaving the wealthy with the same lower top rate.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

And non-millionaires still back him. What are they thinking?

[blackjackblax]

I must ahve totally misread the article. So I will get a tax hike because I have insurance through my employer?

[Grizli]

If that employer's coverage costs over $7,500/yr (single) or $15,000/yr (family), then yes, you do.

[TheBestCheapestOEM]

I'm going to have to find out how much my employer pays. Crap, that's the last thing I need is a tax hike.

[iOqedeyH]

And non-millionaires still back him. What are they thinking?

Because Bush is able to get the hatefilled ignorant bigot vote in addition to the uber wealthy vote.

[TheBestCheapestOEM]

Because Bush is able to get the hatefilled ignorant bigot vote in addition to the uber wealthy vote.

That makes me so sad.