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THE QUESTION
Taxing 'Cadillac' Health Plans: Yes or No?
In Sen. Baucus' bill, insurers would pay a tax on the value above $8,000 for an individual policy and $21,000 for a family plan. What do you think of the proposal to impose a 35 percent tax on "Cadillac" health insurance plans?
Posted by Ceci Connolly on September 21, 2009 4:01 PM
FROM THE PANEL
Blind Leading The Blind
For years employers have been working with insurers to modify plan designs and change economic incentives for consumers(employees) to hopefully choose the right plans that will optimize both cost and quality. The reality is, however, that despite their best efforts, employers are still struggling with understanding a clear perspective of 3 fundamental factors that impact healthcare: cost, utilization and risk.
Posted by Sreedhar Potarazu, on September 23, 2009 7:48 PM
Needs Some Work
Sen. Baucus' proposal to impose a tax on high-end insurance plans is not too far from Obama's proposal early in the health-care reform discussion to tax the wealthiest income earners. I did not support that original idea and I am not very excited by the current proposal, either, but for different reasons.
Posted by Linda Leckman, on September 23, 2009 5:38 PM
Call It a Punishment
Imposing a huge tax on expensive insurance plans is simply a punishment for those who want the best for their families. This isn't health-care reform, it is a money shift.
Posted by Kathy-Ellen Kups, on September 23, 2009 11:11 AM
Empowering Consumers
We should have faith in consumers to make the right choices for their health -- only then will we reduce costs, expand coverage and drive value.
Posted by Peter Neupert, on September 22, 2009 9:18 PM
Insanity? Or Just Politics?
Economically, this tax will be passed along to the consumer and it will have little or no impact on health plan profitability.
Posted by Howard Forman, on September 22, 2009 11:04 AM
Well-Designed Plans Produce Results
I support taxes on "Cadillac" plans as long as we adjust the cost for plans that enroll a higher percentage of less-healthy patients. Research shows that a richer plan does not produce better health or health care.
Posted by Michael Critelli, on September 22, 2009 10:21 AM
More Problems Than Solutions
Americans want health-care reform with understandable solutions. If we must raise taxes to provide appropriate health care, let's not disguise that reality with proposals like this.
Posted by Mark Kelley, on September 21, 2009 9:39 PM
The Inequity of a Health Plan Tax
In the short run, the excise tax may seem like a useful way to generate funds to cover health reform. But such a tax perverts the marketplace and creates inequities for both workers and the employers who sponsor health insurance.
Posted by Jane Sarasohn-Kahn, on September 21, 2009 5:08 PM
Tax Insurers, Not Consumers
If the 35 percent tax is going to be passed on to consumers, I am definitely against that. However, it is clear that the ultimate benefit of electronic records will go mostly to the insurance companies; therefore, I think the tax on them is appropriate.
Posted by Willarda Edwards, on September 21, 2009 4:09 PM
FEATURED COMMENTS
Jihm: This tax makes no sense to me either. What should happen is the repeal of the Bush and the Reagan tax cuts for the very rich. Then we could...
jojo4: All health care plans should be the same. If you're sick, you're sick. You should be covered. You should have the same diagnostics across ...
thornegp1: It is unconstitutional to force people to buy health insurance - the purchase of these plans constitutes a tax because it is the taking of p...
