Herseth Sandlin Endorses Middle Class Healthcare Tax Bill

Herseth Sandlin Endorses Middle Class Healthcare Tax Bill

SD Dem Endorses Plan to Drive Up Healthcare Costs

Washington- South Dakota Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin revealed her true colors yesterday when she backed a healthcare plan proposed by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) that would soak the middle class and put senior citizens in a bind.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Baucus plan is paid for with a 35% tax on insurance premiums for plans that cover many middle-class families as well as cuts to Medicare and Medicaid (“Health Care Reform Proposals, Wall Street Journal, 9/17/09). And one of Herseth-Sandlin’s own Democrat colleagues said the bill amounts to a massive tax hike:

“[West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller] worries, however, that a lot of middle class workers, like the coal miners in his state, will end up facing “a big, big tax” under the Baucus bill because they currently enjoy generous employer-provided health care benefits which they receive tax free.” (Teddy Davis, “Dem Senator Warns of ‘Big, Big Tax’ on Middle Class in Baucus Bill,” ABC News, 9/16/09)

But that didn’t stop Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, the so-called Blue Dog Democrat who has a suspicious track record of backing her party’s big-government agenda:

“Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin on Thursday called the Senate Finance Committee chairman’s new $856 billion proposal to overhaul the nation’s health care system an important step in the process.”

“Funding would come from fees on insurance companies, other insurers, drug makers and medical device manufacturers, as well as a 35-percent tax on premiums paid on insurance plans costing more than $8,000 for individuals and $21,000 for families.” (Dirk Lammers, “Herseth Sandlin Praises Health Care Proposal,” 9/18/09)

“Stephanie Herseth Sandlin talks a big game about fiscal responsibility, but she just destroyed her own credibility by backing a plan that will put the screws to South Dakota’s middle class and senior citizens,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “With her support for this massive tax hike, Herseth Sandlin has sent a loud and clear message to the folks in South Dakota who will end up paying for her party’s reckless agenda: Brace yourselves.”

With her Blue Dog credentials now flushed down the drain, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin owes an explanation to the hard-working South Dakotans that would be stuck paying for her careless support of Senator Baucus’ bill. What exactly is fiscally responsible about raising taxes on the middle class during these tough times? South Dakotans are waiting for their answer.

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