The Truth About H.R. 3200: Government-Run Health Care Will Increase Taxes

Although President Obama repeatedly claims that requiring Americans to buy government-approved health care does not constitute a tax increase, the text of the 1,018-page House bill proves otherwise.  Specifically, on page 167 of H.R. 3200, the title of section 401 reads: “TAX ON INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT ACCEPTABLE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE”.  For those who fail to purchase a government-accepted health care plan, this provision imposes a 2.5 percent tax on the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income.  Furthermore, the House bill attempts to plug part of the $1.5 billion fiscal hole it creates with a $544 million new surtax on high-earning individuals and small businesses.  Specifically, on pages 197-198 taxes would be increased by 1 percent for gross income exceeding $350,000; 1.5 percent for gross income over $500,000; and 5.4 percent for gross income over $1 million.  In the end, according to the nonpartisan Joint Taxation Committee and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, H.R. 3200 contains nearly $820 billion in tax increases.  Due to these outrageous tax increases, as well as other questionable provisions, Congressman Miller continues to oppose this misguided legislation.