Poor Joe Scab. He's watching his (re)-election bid evaporate before his eyes

Medicare investment tax does not apply to those earning less than $200,000. The House Rules Committee's section-by-section analysis of the health care reconciliation act states that the 3.8 percent Medicare tax on investment income -- which takes effect in 2013 -- "does not apply if modified adjusted gross income is less than $250,000 in the case of a joint return, or $200,000 in the case of a single return": (Joe's return, of course, would be a joint return.)

Sec. 1402. Medicare tax. Modifies the tax to include net investment income in the taxable base. Currently, the Medicare tax does not apply to net investment income. The Medicare tax on net investment income does not apply if modified adjusted gross income is less than $250,000 in the case of a joint return, or $200,000 in the case of a single return. Net investment income is interest, dividends, royalties, rents, gross income from a trade or business involving passive activities, and net gain from disposition of property (other than property held in a trade or business). Net investment income is reduced by properly allocable deductions to such income.

http://mediamatters.org/research/201003190022