Tax the Rich to Give Healthcare to the Poor

This is a somewhat surprising plan--given the rollercoaster debate of healthcare reform that's taken place over the past 20 years.

A 1 percent to 5.4 percent surtax would be applied to families making more than $350,000 and individuals making more than $280,000. That money would be used to guarantee health coverage to

While these families and individuals can certainly afford these costs, especially when compared to the ratio of costs, the quality of care, and the struggle that someone making $20,000 would face in dealing with the same health problem as their rich counterpart, it is of paramount importance that these funds are used in an efficient and productive manner--and not simply become a bailout for Medicare.
The NYTimes reports:

House Democratic leaders took a big step toward guaranteeing health insurance for most Americans on Tuesday as they introduced a bill that would expand coverage, rein in the growth of Medicare and raise taxes on high-income people. Three House committees announced plans to begin voting on the measure this week.

Starting in 2011, a family making $500,000 would have to pay $1,500 of additional tax to help subsidize coverage for the uninsured. A family making $1 million would have to contribute $9,000.

An employer who does not provide health insurance to workers would generally have to pay a fee or penalty to the government equal to 8 percent of their wages, but there would be exceptions. For example, an employer with a payroll less than $250,000 a year would not have to pay any fee and could obtain tax credits to help defray the cost of coverage for its employees.

The fee or penalty would be equal to 2 percent of wages for a company with a payroll of $250,000 to $300,000; 4 percent of wages for an employer with payroll of $300,000 to $350,000; and 6 percent of wages for businesses with payroll of $350,000 to $400,000.

Visit The NYTimes for the complete story and many more details.