Posted on 09/07/2009 8:35:13 AM PDT by TroutGuy
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has circulated his own health reform plan, apparently tired of waiting for the rest of the "Group of Six" to come around.
Baucus's plan would cost between $850 billion and $950 billion over ten years, and would help pay for itself by imposing a new fee on insurance companies, the NY Times reports.
The plan does not include a public option, or even a "trigger" to implement a public option under certain conditions.
While that omission is likely to anger liberals, the new health insurance company tax is likely to alienate Republicans. For example, take a look at this explanation from the Times:
Mr. Baucus’s plan, expected to cost $850 billion to $900 billion over 10 years, would tax insurance companies on their most expensive health care policies. The hope is that employers would buy cheaper, less generous coverage for employees, thereby reducing the overuse of medical services. [emphasis added]
Conservatives are already claiming that Democratic reform would lead to healthcare rationing. A tax like that is unlikely to assuage those concerns.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
No to Obamacare.
No to RINOcare.
With 60% of all heathcare insurance users being covered by policies with non-profit organizations, it looks like the Democrats are finally coming out in the open with their idea to use nonprofit organizations as a supplemental source of tax money they can just waste.
Just like the Republicans didn't fund Social Security when they took control of Congress in 1946? Or like the Republicans decided to repeal Medicare when they took over the Senate in 1980?
Oh wait, they did neither. Don't hold out hope.
No. The problem is the unelected advisors and bureaucrats who will make unfunded regulations and guidelines. We'll never be able to undo that, because when Pubbies regain control, they never fire these people.
At this point, the Dems plan a “scotched earth” proposal. They are going to destroy the current healthcare system, and that will leave no choice but national healthcare.
> ... would help pay for itself by imposing a new fee on insurance companies ...
Translated, normal health insurance would cost more as the insurance companies pass this tax on to the subscribers.
Is insurance mandatory under the Baucus plan? I find it interesting that they can assess the insurance companies a surcharge to pay for the plan and yet premiums will be lower.
This provision would kill most middle class support.
In my opinion, the number one reason people are afraid of health care reform, is that they don't want to loose what they have now. Many blue collar factory workers (union and non union) have the benefit of a good employer funded health care plan. If the result of this extra tax is the lowering of benefits, the blue collar voters (many that unfortunately this election went for Obama) will revolt. I don't think that most people are against health care reform because it is "welfare", I think they are (or will be) against it because they don't want to lose what they have now.
Baucus is a Democrat. He’s also an idiot. How exactly will charging insurance companies “a fee” lower our medical costs?
I’ve got a different plan. If your goal is to insure coverage of illegal aliens, then tax them $5000 per household....
Did they have a veto proof majority because HST was in the WH and would be until January 1953? FYI: in the 80th Congress, 1947-49, the Reps controlled the Senate 51-47 and the House 246-188-1.
In 1946 the salary cap for SS was $3,000 as it had been since 1937. The tax rate was 1% and there was no SS contribution required for the self-employed. In 1950 there were 16 retirees for every worker.
Or like the Republicans decided to repeal Medicare when they took over the Senate in 1980?
You don't seem to understand how Congress works. How could Reagan or the Senate [Reps had control 53-47 in the 97th Congress] repeal Medicare when the Dems had control of the House and the Reps did not have a veto proof majority in the Senate?
The Reps couldn't repeal Medicare if they wanted to. And they didn't want to anyway.
Montanans, please . . . vote this SOB out
Max Baucus is a CLIENT of Bob Beckel!!YUKEROO! Bob Beckel is one of the MEANEST LIBS out there.
They controlled the budget, but didn't even try to do away with New Deal era social programs. And with the Senate and the Presidency (and significant control over the House, when you factor in the then-large number of Southern Dixiecrats), the GOP didn't even try to undo Great Society in 1981.
All of D.C. is corrupt. Just a handful with a (R) are left.They owe their allegience to their handelers, the elites, that tell them what to do & when. Probably a health care bill will be passed that we here won't like. To hell with us. Plus most of all (D)s will be voted back in.
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