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Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 | 6:34 p.m.
WASHINGTON -- Ready for a little light reading? The new Senate health care bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is now posted online at www.democrats.senate.gov.
Be sure to check out the highlights -- including a new 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic surgeries (the provider gets taxed, not you, at least not directly).
It has lots of familiar terrain about insurance reform, which has been the centerpiece of the Democrats' bills, including bans on insurance companies being able to deny coverage for preexisting conditions, as well as the much-discussed public option.
In crafting the bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has altered somewhat the way it is paid for -- hence the cosmetic surgery tax.
To raise revenue, the bill also retains the tax on high-end insurance plans, the so-called Cadillac plans, but ups the limit employees can receive before the tax kicks in.
The biggest tax change is in the new half-percent increase in the Medicare payroll tax on employees who earn more than $200,000 a year ($250,000 for families.) This may generate problems down the road, as the House faced pushback on a similar, higher tax on high-wage earners, and ultimately taxed those at $500,000 (or $1 million for families.)
Nevadans watching the health care debate may be interested to know that Reid has abandoned the deal he initially struck to provide 100 percent federal coverage for Medicaid expansion in high-unemployment states, including Nevada. Now, all states will receive full federal funding to expand their Medicaid programs for the first three years.
The bill also includes stricter language on illegal immigrants, which prohibits those here illegally from using their own money to buy insurance on the new health care exchange.
The legislation does not include the strict anti-abortion language adopted in a divisive House amendment, but rather ensures that no federal funds be used on abortion coverage.
Republicans wasted no time attacking the bill -- noting, in part, the light reading: It's a 2,074-page bill.
Pure and simple, this Harry Reid's Waterloo.
I don't understand how there always is a new tax looming. It never seems to stop.
This is more manure from the socialist Democrat party and hopefully Americans will give this bill and the majority leader from Nevada the middle finger.
Two Thousand ten cannot come soon enough!!!
IMPEACH OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If it is more than 20 pages, no one will read it. If it is simple it should be short. They made it long to hide what they don't want anyone to see.
Public Option is the only way we will get relief
Republicans will only represent the top 2%
Is REID a Socialist? For millions Forced Health Insurance Costs could equal their Paid Income Tax, making it impossible to pay their mortgage or rent. Meanwhile Taxpayers will subsidize health insurance cost for others. The IRS will determine whether Americans bought appropriate health insurance and serve as collection agent. Americans are becoming angry as they recognize Obama intends to pay for his public programs, including government health care, by greatly raising taxes on income and profits made on real estate, stock share gains, inheritance and other assets; effectively confiscating Citizens' money that otherwise, would be invested in the economy. I would not be surprised to see at some point, large groups of Americans demonstrating in front of local Congressional Offices, carrying signs and banners displaying "REDS", to denounce U.S. Socialists and Communists in our Government.
Poor Harry. Raising $25 million for re-election doesn't make him any less of a loser.
I'll just wait till the movie comes out.
mormonwithabrain
You should change your name to "stupid****mormon". So far - you've never posted anything that shows you actually have a functioning brain or any intelligence whatsoever (judging from the grammar errors in your post and terrible spelling). Sounds like the rantings from one who is locked in an institution. I never read such hate and drivel coming from a Mormon. Only from uneducated rednecks and racists. Guess you are REALLY one of those.