More problems w/ Obama's health care plan

[rodeodance]

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject More problems w/ Obama's health care plan
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4512361#4512361
4512361, More problems w/ Obama's health care plan
Posted by OzarkDem on Sat Feb-09-08 09:55 PM

Its not enough that Obama's plan is rigged for failure by combining large government subsidies to private insurance companies while not providing universal coverage.

But it also appears his plan doesn't exempt you from income taxes on the value of your employer paid health care plan. It also offers little to encourage your employer to cover you

1. Premium Subsidies To Employers

Clinton Plan -

* Refundable small business tax credit to provide an incentive to offer employee coverage. (High-income small businesses would not qualify.)

* A “retiree health legacy initiative” would provide qualifying public and private sector employers offering retiree health plans with a tax credit to offset catastrophic health expenditures, “as long as savings are dedicated to workers and competitiveness.”

Obama Plan -

Federal subsidies would partially reimburse employers for their catastrophic health care costs if the employers guaranteed that premium savings would be used to reduce employee premiums.

(Obama's plan does nothing to help small businesses cover employees and only helps with "catastrophic health care costs" , meaning employers will still be subject to increases in private insurance premiums)


Tax Changes Related to Health Insurance

Clinton -

* Employer-provided health premiums would continue to be excluded from income taxes except for “the high-end portion of very generous plans for those making over $250,000.”

Obama -

* No provision

http://www.health08.org/sidebyside_results.cfm?c=11&c=16

New health care plans for employers will require these issues be addressed. Under Obama's plan, your employer won't get much help in providing you with insurance and when they do, your insurance plan will be considered taxable income.