Democrats Were Against Tax on Healthcare…Before They Were For It

Democrats Were Against Tax on Healthcare…Before They Were For It
After Blasting GOP Plans to Put Tax on Healthcare, Democrats Openly Embrace Idea

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Obama And House Democrats Consider New Tax On Employer-Provided Health Benefits:

“…House Democrats are considering a new tax on employer-provided health benefits to help pay for expanding coverage to the uninsured…..Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., first floated the idea several weeks ago, and emerged from a White House meeting last week saying Obama was open to it.  Obama’s top aides did not disagree, even though the president attacked the idea lustily last year when campaign rival John McCain proposed it.” (David Espo, “Sources: House Democrats Consider Taxing Benefits,” The Associated Press, 06/09/09)

During The Presidential Campaign, Obama Ads Called McCain’s Approach The ‘Largest Middle-Class Tax Increase In History”:

“One ad accused McCain of favoring ‘taxing health benefits for the first time ever … taxing health care instead of fixing it. We can’t afford John McCain.’  A second Obama ad called McCain’s approach “the largest middle-class tax increase in history.” Driving the point home, it contended the ‘McCain tax could cost your family thousands. Can you afford it?’”  (David Espo, “SPIN METER: White House straddles health tax issue,” The Associated Press, 06/08/09)

Obama Campaign Ad: “Unravel”:

ANNCR: “It could all unravel.  Your healthcare, under John McCain.  McCain would tax health benefits for the first time ever, meaning higher income taxes for millions.  His plan would raise costs for employers offering healthcare, so your coverage could be reduced or even dropped completely.  And since McCain won’t require coverage for pre-existing conditions, finding a new plan could leave you hanging by a thread.  It’s not the change we need.” (Obama Campaign Ad: Unravel)

Obama Called The McCain Plan “Out Of Line With Our Basic Values”:

“’As a result, many employers will drop their health care plans altogether,’ Obama said. “And study after study has shown, that under the McCain plan, at least 20 million Americans will lose the insurance they rely on from their workplace.’  He called McCain’s plan ‘so radical, so out of touch with what you’re facing, and so out of line with our basic values.’ (“Obama goes after McCain’s health care plan,” The Associated Press, 10/04/08)

Obama: “Where Would That Leave You? Broke”:

“As the presidential campaign entered its final month, Democrat Barack Obama issued a sharp assault on Republican John McCain’s healthcare proposal Saturday, arguing it would lead to higher taxes for some families and knock as many as 20 million people out of their current insurance plans.  ‘He gives you a tax credit with one hand — but he raises your taxes with the other,’ Obama said.  ‘A $5,000 tax credit. That sounds pretty good,’ Obama said. But he noted that a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that the average cost of a family healthcare plan is $12,680. ‘Where would that leave you? Broke,’ Obama said.” (Maeve Reston and Seema Mehta, “Obama attacks McCain health plan on trail, in ads,” Los Angeles Times, 10/05/08)

Obama Called The McCain Plan “Radical And Deceptive”:

“A flurry of new Obama campaign mailers, radio and television ads attacking McCain’s healthcare plan is due to hit battleground states this week. McCain’s proposal would give families a $5,000 tax credit to purchase the health insurance plan of their choice. But at a rally outside of Norfolk, Virginia, Obama called the proposal radical and deceptive.” (“Obama Takes Aim at McCain’s Health Proposals,” National Public Radio, 10/05/08)

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