Re: "How about taxing private health care costs?"
What about it?
Re: "Is that imaginary?"
That was something that John McCain suggested during the Presidential campaign, (and Obama opposed).
It is not currently included in any of the major health care bills that are advancing in Congress --- but some version of it might or might not eventually be included, depending.....
Actually, I think that was one of the few things that McCain GOT RIGHT.
Benefits that someone pays you (for work) *are income* and my personal opinion is that ALL INCOME, REGARDLESS OF SOURCE, SHOULD BE TAXED AT EXACTLY THE SAME FLAT RATE... but, hey, that's me.
However all sides in the debate recognize that this is a largish tax loophole that has been in the system for some time now.
Incidentally, most of the suggestions for taxing benefits only suggest taxing them *above some floor rate*... for example above $100,000, or above $250,000 in value for the annual benefit. Most observers, (not all), don't think it's such a good idea to be giving out subsidies for millionaires in such situations... but, as I've said, it's not in any of the major bills yet. |
