UAW chief to fight 'Cadillac tax', (which Obama says is a "good idea")

[Bluebear]

Detroit -- United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger told reporters he will be in meetings today and Thursday in Washington to fight the so-called "Cadillac tax" on more expensive employer-sponsored health care plans.

The Senate health care bill has a new tax on high-cost, employer-sponsored insurance policies, which has been dubbed the "Cadillac tax." The measure wasn't in the House version of the bill. Now, the two chambers are trying to reach a compromise.

President Barack Obama supports the 40 percent annual tax on individual health plans worth more than $8,500, and above $23,000 for families. "Our people are researching it now," Gettelfinger told reporters on the sidelines of the North American International Auto Show.

The White House defended the president's support of the tax.

Obama "supported the Senate bill and that provision was in that bill for what it does in terms of changing the direction of health care costs," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Monday.

The White House said the tax would raise nearly $150 billion in revenue over 10 years to help pay for health care reform.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100112/POLITICS03/1120328/1020/nation/UAW-chief-to-fight--Cadillac-tax-

[NJmaverick]

1. I'm thinking these groups are upset because they have Cadillac plans

and don't like the idea of them being taxed.

[safeinOhio]

2. I'm thinking that, what's left of the middle class

does not want to be taxed out of it. This is to replace the surtax on the wealthy.

[laughingliberal]

27. As always! Letting the wealthy continue to skate while the workers and middle class carry them

There's your effing 'welfare queens.'

[Kermitt Gribble]

6. "These groups" represent the working class. n/t

[NJmaverick]

14. Technically they are PART of the working class

[Kermitt Gribble]

17. So you're admitting this is a tax on the working class? n/t

[Bluebear]

29. :crickets:

[Better Believe It]

7. These are Chevy plans. And a big majority of working people who are impacted are not union members

[NJmaverick]

16. The Chevy plans are not subject to taxes, only the really luxary plans

[Brickbat]

19. Luxury plans?

What are you even saying?

[laughingliberal]

21. It is based entirely on the premium cost and no regard for how good the coverage is. nt

[Marr]

10. Um, yeah.

Of course "these groups" have so-called "Cadillac plans". They're largely union members, and over the years, they've often negotiated better healthcare coverage in lieu of salary increases.

The idea here is to put the squeeze on unions and union members instead of the wealthy, and it's sickening.

[anonymous171]

12. So? Does that make their opinion any less important?

[NJmaverick]

13. Self interest has always been a strong political force

so it's still valid that they don't want to pay a tax on their great health plans.

[laughingliberal]

22. And they don't want to pay a tax on their moderately acceptable plans either

There is no criteria addressing the level of coverage. It's based entirely on the price of the premium. The self interest of those making over $500,000 per year who would be taxed under the House plan is winning.

[laughingliberal]

20. A lot of them pay Cadillac prices for Pinto coverage

Basing it solely on the premium is punishing the consumer for the insurance companies' gouging.

[ljm2002]

23. "If you like what you have, you can keep it."

I'm thinking these people like what they have, and they won't be able to keep it.

[laughingliberal]

26. Yep.

Or, if you like what you have, you'll be taxed on it.

[freddie mertz]

35. That's right. Broken promise number whatever it is.

NJ has been keeping tabs.

:rofl: :patriot:

[freddie mertz]

34. No DEMOCRAT worthy of the name should support this tax on middle-class benefits.

Candidate Obama knew this.

I don't know what happened to him later on.

[Kermitt Gribble]

3. I've never made a post

complaining about 'unrecs' before, but the unrecs on this post, a pro-union post, show what a joke our Party has become. New Democrats = republicans, period.

[Bluebear]

31. you said it

[freddie mertz]

36. AGREED. There is an anti-union, anti-middle class element here.

Which is a sad testament to state of the once-proud Democratic tradition.

[highplainsdem]

4. K&R

[upi402]

5. I wont vote for a corporatist again

I just want it all overwith, one way or another. I'm sick of it. Obama is not a Democrat, just a rational Republican who hates workers just as much as any Republican. Sme with most Dems.

You can't tax folks who are making 1/2 their former income. You can't tax the unemployed. NAFTA and GATT failed, corporate socialism failed. And now they want to snuff the last ember of the US economy. It's over. Make other plans, I'd say.

[laughingliberal]

24. +++1000 nt

[amborin]

8. Kudos the the Unions! 30 mill workers affected, not only the unionized

it's an outrage that Obama will not opt instead for the surtax on couples making $1 million or more a year

[inna]

9. What a shame. This is not what Obama campaigned on,

in fact it's just the opposite.

What happened to taxing the millionaires, at the time when income and wealth inequality is at its HIGHEST levels EVER in the US and much higher than anywhere else in the civilized world?? http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7387970

Instead, this whole health care deform is just going to continue upward transfer of wealth from the middle class. Say hello to Neo-Feudalism, indeed. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7338574

[Romulox]

11. This isn't over yet. k/r. nt

[Marr]

15. "Cadillac Tax". Isn't it funny how these politicians don't shy from 'class warfare' terms when

they serve to attack the working class? "Cadillac Tax", my ass.

[blueworld]

18. I wish I could quickly gather the relevant facts for us all

But, as I posted elsewhere, my eyes glaze over every time I started researching the Senate Bill. This is what I thought I learned:

1. The Cadillac tax is based on the COST of ALL the insurance the employer provides NOT just the benefits allowed. This COST is not simply health insurance premiums, but VISION CARE, DENTAL CARE, HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS - in other words, a Chevy with some options. These premium costs will be higher in certain states and for certain occupations (think plastics companies & longshoremen, never mind firemen).

The threshold for the Cadillac tax is higher for "high-risk" jobs like firemen etc. but they are not exempt. Are longshoremen exempt or window washers in NYC? The threshold will change several times over the next few years in an effort to lessen the burden on expensive states, however every state has the ability to set "alternate" thresholds (whatever the heck that means).

2. Employers with sicker, older employees will pay more premium costs thus ultimately taxing the folks who need benefits most or reducing those benefits to avoid the tax.

When my eyes uncross, I'll go back & do more penance. In the meantime it seems the bill changes every 5 minutes anyway.

[laughingliberal]

25. Wouldn't it have been nice for the bill to encourage employers to provide better coverage

rather than encourage crappier coverage for all. This is the part of the bill where rationing comes in. Employers will provide worse policies which require higher out of pocket costs from the patient. The patient will limit their use of health care services (not always judicious) due to the cost. Why doesn't anyone else see this is exactly the Bush plan for the ownership society? Remember? The one where if people paid more of their own money they would make better decisions. You know. The one where they won't go to the doctor cause their deductible is too high and they will wait till those early symptoms of heart disease are a full blown, chronic problem and their life is in danger. Surely, some of you remember that plan. I'm betting most on here opposed it.

[Broke In Jersey]

28. sorry...

but you if have a health plan greater than $23,000 (23K+ is defined as 'Cadillac')....you can afford tiny tax. A little help to some of us that can't afford ANY coverage would be nice!!!

[Bluebear]

30. You don't know what "tiny tax" anybody can afford, sorry yourself.

[Kermitt Gribble]

33. That's classic Ronny Raygun/anti-union logic.

It's amazing how they have gotten so may people to think this way - Democrats, even.

Try this: Instead of screaming that union workers get too many benefits or make too much money, why don't we scream about how little the rest of us make and demand that our pay and benefits are brought up to union standards?

[bobbolink]

32. Hey, take away the COLA poor folk get... think of all the $$$$ saved!

Oh, wait......

:nuke: