Hours before debate, Sanders shares details of health plan that would raise income taxes

[cal04]

Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders would raise income taxes across the board -- and by substantially more on high earners -- to pay for an ambitious single-payer health-care plan, under details released Sunday night.

Under the plan, which was outlined before a Democratic debate here, those making more than $250,000 a year would pay a top marginal income tax rate of 37 percent, up a few percentage points from what they now pay.

Those making more than $10 million a year would pay a new top rate of 52 percent -- significantly more than the current top rate of 39.6 percent.

A shift to Sanders’s “Medicare for all” program also would mean that Americans would pay a 2.2 percent health-care premium, calculated based on their federal income taxes. And employers would pay a new 6.2 percent payroll tax. Economists say payroll taxes are usually passed along to workers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/01/17/hours-before-debate-sanders-shares-details-of-health-plan-that-would-raise-income-taxes/

https://berniesanders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Medicare-for-All.pdf

[Fawke Em]

1. I've been saying all weekend the tax rate is 2.2 percent.

Because I can read a legislative proposal.

And so... for the average American, that's far less than what they pay in premiums and deductibles. HAVE TO POINT THAT OUT.

[cal04]

2. Thank you for doing that

the deductible alone killed me with Obamacare

[Fawke Em]

5. The average family will save about $3,000 a year

and that doesn't include deductibles.

Now, me, and I've not said this before, my rate would go up because, currently, I don't pay a premium. It's part of my perks at work. I do still have high deductibles, though.

So, if I'm for this, we all should be.

I have never complained about paying taxes that go to the good of the commons.

[Kalidurga]

14. It will only save my youngest about $1200 a year

But, she will be thrilled with that. She will probably save it up to go on a real vacation at least I hope so that she does that while she is young.

[TexasBushwhacker]

15. Is that just what she will save vs. paying premiums?

Because if she actually gas to use it, she won't have copays or deductibles anymore.

[Kalidurga]

17. Yep that will just be on premiums

[questionseverything]

4. the 2.2 is less than the penalty this year

[Fawke Em]

7. Even better!

This should be pointed out, too!

[Bjornsdotter]

6. Ditto and ditto!

I've been saying 2.2% for employees and 6.7% for employers. I am so glad the 6.7% has been lowered.

I can tell you that we pay far more than 6.2% for our employee's healthcare and personally I pay $1800 a month for my health insurance. A tax increase of 2.2% for me personally would be very, very welcome.

[questionseverything]

3. payroll taxes are a cost of doing business

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511021259

i am curious how this change would affect workman's comp ins (which is a huge cost for small businesses)

[Fawke Em]

8. It could only lower it.

Employers would still need to pay insurance for the worker's salary, but they wouldn't have to pay as much (if any) for treatment of workplace injuries.

The only thing I can think of would be having insurance for catastrophic injuries.

[questionseverything]

10. hopefully lowing that cost would help pay the higher cost imposed on employers

just looking at money we already pay that could help

[TexasBushwhacker]

16. And for time lost from work n/t

[pangaia]

9. I would ASSUME they would go down as employers

should no longer have to pay the workman's comp part.

[questionseverything]

13. there would still be a lost wages part but

not having to cover the medical would be huge

[99th_Monkey]

11. Great! Now Hillarians will stop all the harping "What's Bernie's Plan?"

I'm already on Medicare but my part B went up, up up under Obamacare. I am curious
what I would pay under Bernie's single-payer plan, but I'm not worried about it, because
I know Bernie has my back. But I'm eager to find out anyway.

GO BERNIE!! Great job getting the plan out before tonight's debate.

[valerief]

12. And cut OODLES of expenses. nt

[aspirant]

18. "Hours before debate"

I love it.

Hills and company thought she punked Bernie by having Brock and Chelsea attack him on healthcare just days before the debate.

Bernie returned the favor by having Hills look helpless responding to his plans on a debate stage