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They'll pretend to take care of you and pretend it's free

November 11, 2009

Notwithstanding public options and other controversial parts of the health care reform bill, the real issue that remains of concern to many is how the plan is going to be paid for… In addition to the 40% tax on those Cadillac plans proposed by the Senate, the bill as recently passed by the House would impose a 5.4% income tax on individuals making more than $500,000 and joint filers making more than $1 million. If existing tax cuts expire in 2011, which appears increasingly likely, the top income tax rate would grow to 45% – a 10% increase.

But here’s a thought. In an increasingly dim economy, isn’t it a little scary to rely on higher taxes from top wage earners to foot the bill?

It's all part of the illusion that it will be free.