Lawmakers reject tax to pay for health reform

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers on Sunday criticized a plan to raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for a $1 trillion healthcare overhaul and warned Congress was unlikely to meet President Barack Obama's goal of passing the measure by August.

Republican Senator Judd Gregg said finishing a healthcare bill by Congress' August recess was "highly unlikely" because the Senate Finance Committee had not yet completed a draft. Senator John Kyl, the Republican whip, said there was "no chance" it would be done before the break.

"President Obama was right about one thing. He said if it's not done quickly, it won't be done at all. Why did he say that? Because the longer it hangs out there, the more the American people are skeptical, anxious and even in opposition to it," Kyl told ABC's "This Week" program.

Obama has made healthcare reform his top legislative priority and hopes to sign the bill in October. The United States spends more than $2 trillion annually on healthcare, twice any other nation, but it ranks worse than most developed countries on measures of health like life expectancy


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1017928320090712

GFT too!

Nice one, Reuters.

rejecting taxing employee benefits (but not taxing the wealthy) so of couse the OP title is TOTALLY accurate :eyes:

Just at the kneepad, mainstream, conservative-owned corportate mediawhores that cover the ass of Republican nutbags while marginalizing mainstream opinions on matters of life and death such as the public option.

Obama's "It's either this year or not at all." Rushed bills are bad bills. Look at how well the so-called "stimulus" has worked so far.

they'll try like hell to avoid voting on anything more "controversial*" than honoring boy scouts and bringing home some bacon for the home district.

*it's not, but their beltway saturated "advisors" and the Blue Dogs will connvince them it is.

So I don't care what they "reject".

The only people I see that are skeptical, anxious, and even in opposition to it, are a few of you assholes!

Does he mean the 25% of the US citizens who don't want Health Care Reform rose to 26%? That's still a frakin' 74% who want it....now!

The longer it stays out there, the more likely Repugs will water it down so it's no good....I think THAT'S what Obama meant.

The title should be "Lawmakers from another planet eject....."

for those who need medical treatment and don't have insurance?

Clearly profit care is more important in America than patient care. If our health care system was so great and was the best care in the world, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in now. As a former health care giver, I am ashamed and sad to see what is called quality health care in TN & VA.

http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62

How many more have to die while we demand health care reform ?

REAGAN ENRICHED THEM AND BUSH DOUBLED HIM

Rich pay percentage pennies in PAYROLL taxes

Richest man can pay 17% in Federal Income Taxes.

Billions made in Hedge Find Gambling and pay 15% in Federal Income Taxes.

Come on Folks! Get Serious.

Middle Class eviscerated by Total Control by Conservatives.

Country Club Party. Big Business + Rich priority always and forever.

Ann Richards, then Governor of Texas, said Dubya Bush was Big Business only.

cswinney2@triad.rr.com

Congress will use simple majority to pass it

Watch Right Wing tears flowing.

Fox will have fits.

We already pay one hell of a "tax" for healthcare. The question is what do we get for it?

Why didn't they say "Republican 'lawmakers'"? Because that is who they are referring to. The party of no says "no" to everything, no matter what! :rofl: