Taxes cost more than death - or health care 

The hits just keep on coming … and not in a Beatles kinda way, either. Although the tax man is coming. Again.

In a ham-handed attempt to pick up the tab for health care reform, the Senate Finance Committee just suggested another tax, this time on, ahem, health care.

Now, while the irony (or is it absurdity?) is not lost on me, I can’t help but wonder what they’re putting in the water up there in the District.

Oh, and it gets better. Not only does the committee want to levy a new tax on employer-paid health care, they want to come up with a new “sin” tax, as well. Seems they want to tax any drinks sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. The Kool-Aid man referred all questions to Mrs. Butterworth. (And, yeah, I know it’s not that kind of syrup, but you try telling my son not to drink it.)

Jokes aside, the worst trial balloon of the bunch, though, is the proposed new limits or outright elimination of flexible savings accounts, because, you know, we can’t have the private sector running around providing real solutions.

Committee Chairman Max Baucus and his gang of 12 are meeting today. And I’ll bet you a copay we haven’t heard the last great idea from this bunch.

• • 8/25/2009 12:54:35 PM
  • Taxes cost more than death - or health care In a ham-handed attempt to pick up the tab for health care reform, the Senate Finance Committee just suggested another tax, this time on health care. Visit This Article
• • 8/25/2009 12:54:35 PM
  • I am with you This Group is making rules that could become law and they don't have a clue on what they are talking about. What up with this mess? Is this my Country or do I need to use the Euro. Randy Wright
• • 8/25/2009 12:54:35 PM
  • Absurd doesn't come close to this line of "thinking"...if that's what you want to call it. I sell Employee Benefits & it is hard enough to get employees to take benefits due to rising costs & lower benefits. The irony is that not enough employees take advantage of Flex Plans right now. Those that do ALWAYS increase their withholding's from year to year. The bottom line is that our elected officials don't have a clue and should not not meddle with things they know nothing about!!!
• • 8/25/2009 12:54:35 PM
  • These balloon flying clowns have very warped imaginations! What world do they live in? Need to coordinate a huge communications campaign to knock some sense into these committee members and representatives. Who are these key people? Where does one even begin? Need to focus on a few critical issues, Denis, and give your readers some of the words/arguments and list of legislators' addresses. We the people (brokers, hr managers, business owners, workers...) need to make ourselves heard. People need to be challenged to write to their representatives at least once a month, if not once a week...
• • 8/25/2009 12:54:35 PM
  • FSA's are a critical part of any benefit plan and can be used as part of an individuals overall wellness program (i.e overweight, elevated blood pressue, high cholestrol, etc.) simply get a Rx from a medical practitoner for a specific PROGRAM (i.e. weight-loss program at a local gym) not a MEMBERSHIP and begin to save taxes as well as improve your health. Most people in these situations need HELP either one on one or in a group setting not simply left alone in a gym. That's why its called a program (beginning and end). If employers understood this and see the financial benefits they would benefit from they might promote wellness more often.
• • 8/25/2009 12:54:35 PM
  • Medicaid - SCHIP, the states pay 50% , is one reason states are running a deficit. SCHIP expanded by over 50% Medicare is forecast to run a deficit in the near future. No COLA for seniors Social Security is almost broke. The funds were spent for other social programs since President Johnson. The projected national debt payments on the current federal budget will exceed the cost of the above (Medicare - SCHIP- Medicaid - Social Security benefits. (Another Madhoff scheme) by the end of the current administration's term. It is political incorrect in even talking about these issues.
• • 8/25/2009 12:54:35 PM
  • The only real workable solution starts with revol and ends with-ution.-Now WE have to take our country back from these evildoers.