Why, white Americans of course.
As we’ve noted throughout this series on what’s in the health care bill, the legislation, if the vote succeeds, would represent the most sweeping change in national domestic policy in a generation.
Among other things, it would provide or subsidize health coverage for 32 million currently uninsured people. That’s more than one-tenth of the entire population of the US.
Change like that doesn’t come cheap. More specifically, change like that would cost about $940 billion over its first 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Add these two things together, throw in $40 billion worth of tax credits for small business, and you’re pretty close to the bill’s top line for expansion of health coverage.
So where’s the cash to pay for this coming from? Remember, CBO says this bill will actually cut the deficit over 10 years. That means it has to raise a little more money than it will spend.
The answer is that the money will be provided by new taxes, fees on industries involved in health care, and cuts in projected spending growth for existing government health efforts, primarily Medicare.
Here are specifics on some of the biggest money raisers:
Higher Medicare taxes on rich people
If you are an individual making more than $200,000 a year, or a married couple making more than $250,000 a year, get ready to pay more for your Medicare if health care reform passes.