Tea Party Patriots Ordinary citizens reclaiming America's founding principles.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

A Review of Taxes in the House Democrat Health Care Bill


From Americans for Tax Reform --

H.R. 3962, the "Affordable Health Care for America Act" has been introduced--all 1990 pages of it. This gargantuan beast contains thirteen new tax hikes. Here they all are, with description and page number (PDF version).

Employer Mandate Excise Tax (Page 275): If an employer does not pay 72.5 percent of a single employee’s health premium (65 percent of a family employee), the employer must pay an excise tax equal to 8 percent of average wages. Small employers (measured by payroll size) have smaller payroll tax rates of 0 percent (<$500,000), 2 percent ($500,000-$585,000), 4 percent ($585,000-$670,000), and 6 percent ($670,000-$750,000). Individual Mandate Surtax (Page 296): If an individual fails to obtain qualifying coverage, he must pay an income surtax equal to the lesser of 2.5 percent of modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) or the average premium. MAGI adds back in the foreign earned income exclusion and municipal bond interest.

Medicine Cabinet Tax (Page 324): Non-prescription medications would no longer be able to be purchased from health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), or health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). Insulin excepted.

Cap on FSAs (Page 325): FSAs would face an annual cap of $2500 (currently uncapped).

Increased Additional Tax on Non-Qualified HSA Distributions (Page 326): Non-qualified distributions from HSAs would face an additional tax of 20 percent (current law is 10 percent). This disadvantages HSAs relative to other tax-free accounts (e.g. IRAs, 401(k)s, 529 plans, etc.)

Denial of Tax Deduction for Employer Health Plans Coordinating with Medicare Part D (Page 327): This would further erode private sector participation in delivery of Medicare services.

Surtax on Individuals and Small Businesses (Page 336): Imposes an income surtax of 5.4 percent on MAGI over $500,000 ($1 million married filing jointly). MAGI adds back in the itemized deduction for margin loan interest. This would raise the top marginal tax rate in 2011 from 39.6 percent under current law to 45 percent—a new effective top rate.

Excise Tax on Medical Devices (Page 339): Imposes a new excise tax on medical device manufacturers equal to 2.5 percent of the wholesale price. It excludes retail sales and unspecified medical devices sold to the general public.

Corporate 1099-MISC Information Reporting (Page 344): Requires that 1099-MISC forms be issued to corporations as well as persons for trade or business payments. Current law limits to just persons for small business compliance complexity reasons. Also expands reporting to exchanges of property.

Delay in Worldwide Allocation of Interest (Page 345): Delays for nine years the worldwide allocation of interest, a corporate tax relief provision from the American Jobs Creation Act.

Limitation on Tax Treaty Benefits for Certain Payments (Page 346): Increases taxes on U.S. employers with overseas operations looking to avoid double taxation of earnings.

Codification of the “Economic Substance Doctrine” (Page 349): Empowers the IRS to disallow a perfectly legal tax deduction or other tax relief merely because the IRS deems that the motive of the taxpayer was not primarily business-related.

Application of “More Likely Than Not” Rule (Page 357): Publicly-traded partnerships and corporations with annual gross receipts in excess of $100 million have raised standards on penalties. If there is a tax underpayment by these taxpayers, they must be able to prove that the estimated tax paid would have more likely than not been sufficient to cover final tax liability.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Tea Party Patriot Weekly Action Alert; House plans to unveil the House Health Care Legislation Today


Patriots,

We see the dismay our efforts are causing Senator Reid & Speaker Pelosi -- let's keep up the good work.

The following is from our national coordinators...

According to Politico, today, Thursday, October 29 at 10:00 am, the Democrats in the House plan to unveil the House Health Care Legislation. If you are within driving distance of DC and are able to attend with signs in opposition to government takeover of health care, we encourage you to do so.

The phone calls, emails, faxes, and protests have been working. While it is hard work, please keep up the effort. It appears that our efforts are working and right now the Senate does not have the 60 votes necessary to end a filibuster but we want to keep the pressure on so that this holds true.

Thursday:

Call the 25 of Blue Dog Democrats in the House plus your own Congressman and tell them why you do not want the government takeover of health care and a public option.

If you have extra time and unlimited long distance, consider calling not just the DC offices but also the local district offices.

Friday:

Call the remaining Blue Dog Democrats in the House plus your own Congressman and tell them why you do not want the government takeover of health care and a public option.

If you have extra time and unlimited long distance, consider calling not just the DC offices but also the local district offices.

Saturday:


Read the Tea Party Patriots Blog at New Patriot Journal.

Targeted Senators

We are including the DC office phone numbers and fax numbers below in case you would also like to call and fax directly to the Senators. If you fax your letters to: 678-302-5377 we will hand deliver them.

Sen. Michael F Bennet, Colorado DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-5852, DC Fax Number: 202-228-5036

Sen. Ben Nelson, NebraskaDC Office Number: 202-224-6551, DC Fax Number: 202-228-0012

Sen. Mary Landrieu, Louisiana DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-5824, DC Fax Number: 202-224-9735

Sen. Mark Pryor, Arkansas DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-2353, DC Fax Number: 202-228-0908

Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Arkansas DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-4843, DC Fax Number: 202-228-1371

Sen. Robert Byrd, West Virginia DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-3954, DC Fax Number: 202-228-0002

Sen. Jim Webb, Virginia DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-4024, DC Fax Number: 202-228-6363

Sen. Mark Warner, Virginia DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-2023, DC Fax Number: 202-224-6295

Sen. Jon Tester, Montana DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-2644, DC Fax Number: 202-224-8594

Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-4041, DC Fax Number: 202-224-9750

Sen. Mark Begich, Alaska DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-3004, DC Fax Number: 202-224-2354

Sen. Evan Bayh, Indiana DC Office Phone Number: 202-224-5623, DC Fax Number: 202-228-1377

PriceWaterhouseCooper released an independent study of the Senate Finance Committee version of the government takeover of health care bill. The study showed that American family's budgets will be severely impacted by the bill and that health insurance premiums will increase dramatically. You may wish to read the study and use this as supporting documentation when you contact the Senators. Additionally, you may find some these resources helpful as well:

Tea Party Patriots Health Care Talking Points

Why Is Tea Party Patriots Focusing on Health Care

Questions to Ask Your Representative About Health Care

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Catching President Obama in a lie 40 Likeminded Democrats’ Will Vote to Kill Health Bill if it Doesn’t Get Floor Vote on Pro-Life Amendment

Again showing they will do and say anything to pass a version of socialized health care, we have the so-called bastion of integrity, President Obama, now caught in a hair splitting lie...
Rep. Bart Stupak (D.-Mich.) told CNSNews.com that President Barack Obama told him in a telephone conversation that when he said in his Sept. 9 speech to a joint session of Congress that “under our plan no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions” he was not talking about the actual bill drafted in the House but about the president’s own health care plan—which has never been written.

Can somebody call Rep. Charlie Wilson -- he may have a couple words about this!

Seeing that he has been lied to, Rep. Stupak is throwing in a well needed monkey wrench of the plans for ramming any version of the Health Care bill through the House....

Rep. Bart Stupak (D.-Mich.) told CNSNews.com yesterday that he has organized a group of “about 40 likeminded Democrats” who will vote to kill the health-care bill if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) does not allow a floor vote on his amendment to prohibit federal funds from going to insurance plans that cover abortion.

Under Stupak’s plan, the approximately 40 Democrats in his camp would join with all House Republicans in voting to defeat the special House “rule” that would set the terms for debating and amending the health-care bill on the House floor when it is brought up for a final vote. If a majority of the House does not first vote to approve this rule, the health-care bill itself cannot be brought to the floor. (Click here for video).

If this is pulled off and these Democrats are joined by all the House Republicans they will have the 218 votes needed to kill the bill in the House.

We work on getting the names of the 40 House members so calls of support can be made to their offices. But this shows that everyday we keep these bills from moving closer to PBO's desk, more and more people are coming out against the way these bills are being cobbled together with half truths and lies.

Pelosi now playing word games on "Public Option"


The wicked progressive witch of the west, Speaker Ninny Pelosi, is out trying to fool the public over the "public option" being pushed in the House & Senate versions of the proposed health care bills.

True to progressive form, and much like this past presidential election, the left is not above spinning the truth in their push for government run health care....

A government-sponsored "public option" for health care lives, though it may be more attractive to skeptics if it goes by a different moniker, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday.

In an appearance at a Florida senior center, the Democratic leader referred to the so-called public option as "the consumer option." Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., appeared by Pelosi's side and used the term "competitive option."

"You'll hear everyone say, 'There's got to be a better name for this,'" Pelosi said. "When people think of the public option, public is being misrepresented, that this is being paid for with their public dollars." (Breitbart)

Huh... unless they plan on buying more green ink from Office Max for printing more money -- I wonder exactly what dollars will be used to pay for this public option? Obama Money? Monopoly money?

No matter where the dollars come from, no matter what they call the dollars -- one way or the other it will be coming out of our pockets. But while there plans for government run health care are slowly falling apart -- they will say or do anything for passing their socialized health care proposals.

All of our calls, faxes, letters, rallies have slowed the passing of these bills -- they are on the ropes and we must push even harder now if we want to stop this. We can do it! Their scrambling is proof we have them on the ropes! It is only with more calls, more letter, more faxes & more rallies that we can do this.

Remember, every day we keep any version of the government run health care bill one step farther away from the insidious inking it will get if it reaches President Obama's desk -- we are winning daily victories.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Patriot Alert: Left is Pushing House Members for Public Option

Patriots,

We all know NOW is crunch time if we are going to stop a government take over of our health care system. Proving the administration is worried, we see them attacking anyone, from the insurance companies and the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, that is not supportive of their now estimated at $1 Trillion effort of further destroying our economy with government run health care.

I do not know how much more clear this could be... if we do not make little sacrifices and attend the rallies hosted by Tea Party Patriot groups, if we do not make the calls and send the letters to the 13 Senators and ask to vote for No Cloture (click here), if we do not pressure the Blue Dogs in the House (click here), if we do not continue this fight with every once of energy we have -- you can be sure -- the government will take over our health care system much like they did many of the banks and auto industry.

We want to thank fellow Tea Party Patriot and 9.12 member Paula for sending us this link from a Daily KOS blogger about a post on Open Left urging progressives to contact targeted House members.

From Open Left --

I am receiving new information tonight that the House DOES NOT have 218 "solid' yes votes for health care reform with a Medicare +5% public option. Representative John Larson's claim earlier today that the House had the votes appear to have included at least 12, and as many as 15, Representatives who are "lean yes" votes.

Further, I am told that if the leadership does not confirm 218 "solid" yes votes by the end of the 9:30 a.m. Democratic caucus meeting tomorrow morning, they will probably include the negotiated rate public option in the bill that is sent to the floor, not the Medicare +5% public option. At the very latest, we have until 2 p.m. to get the votes.

Lean Yes:

Ron Klein (FL-22): 202-225-3026, 561-544-6910
Dennis Moore (KS-03): 202-225-2865, 913-621-0832, 913-383-2013
Stephen Lynch (MA-09): 202-225-8273, 617-428-2000
Bob Etheridge (NC-02): 202-225-4531, 919-829-9122, 919-829-9122
Dina Titus (NV-3): 202-225-3252, 702-387-4941
John Boccieri (OH-16): 202-225-3876, 330-489-4414
Steve Driehaus (OH-1): 202-225-2216, 513-684-2723
Charles Wilson (OH-06): 202-225-5705, 740-633-5705, 330-533-7250
Christopher Carney (PA-10): 202-225-3731, 570-585-9988, 570-327-1902
John Sprat (SC-05): 202-225-5501, 803-327-1114
Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15): 202-225-2531, 956-682-5545, 361-358-8400
Solomon Ortiz (TX-27): 202-225-7742, 956-541-1242, 361-883-5868

Undecided:

Marion Berry (AR-1): 202-225-4076, 501-843-3043, 870-972-4600
Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-8): 202-225-2542, 520-459-3115, 520-881-3588

Dennis Cardoza (CA-18): 202-225-6131, 209-383-4455, 209-527-1914 Allen Boyd (FL-02): 202-225-5235, 850-561-3979
Melissa Bean (IL-8): 202-225-3711, 847-517-2927
Joe Donnelly (IN-2): 202-225-3915, 574-288-2780
Brad Ellsworth (IN-8): 202-225-4636, 812-465-6484, 812-232-0523
Baron Hill (IN-09): 202-225-5315, 812-336-3000, 812-288-3999
Mike McIntyre (NC-7): 202-225-2731, 910-323-0260, 910-735-0610
Curt Schraeder (OR-05): 202-225-5711, 503-588-9100
Jason Altmire (PA-04): 202-225-2565, 724-378-0928
Lincoln Davis (TN-04): 202-225-6831, 931-490-8699, 931-473-7251
Bart Gordon (TN-06): 202-225-4231, 615-896-1986
Glenn Nye (VA-2): 202-225-4215, 757-326-6201
Zachary Space (OH-18): 202-225-6265, 330-364-4300, 740-779-1636

Lean No:

Artur Davis (AL-07): 202-225-2665, 205-254-1960, 334-877-4414 Harry Mitchell (AZ-05): 202-225-2190, 480-946-2411
Jim Costa (CA-20): 202-225-3341, 661-869-1620, 559-495-1620 Ike Skelton (MO-04): 202-225-2876, 816-228-4242, 573-635-3499
Heath Shuler (NC-11): 202-225-6401, 828-252-1651
Tim Holden (PA-17): 202-225-5546, 717-234-5904, 610-921-3502 John Tanner (TN-08): 202-225-4714, 731-423-4848, 731-885-7070
Rick Boucher (VA-9): 202-225-3861, 276-628-1145


Notice the House members from OH leaning yes and one undecided! We must melt their fax machines and shut down their phone systems with calls!

If we are going to win, and I believe we can, we must stop 'talking' about our Founding Fathers and start making the sacrifices they made on our behalf! The future of our country and our children are depending on us.

Hope to see you this Monday 10/26/09 from 3pm - 5:30pm at the Health Care Rally at the Cleveland Clinic II. Click here for more details.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Health Care Rally at the Cleveland Clinic II

October Surprise
ACTION ALERT

10/21/09

Contact: Clevelandteaparty@gmail.com

On Monday October 26th, in unison with our fellow Tea Party Patriot groups holding these rallies across the country, the area Tea Party Patriot groups will send our message & AGAIN host our rally at the world famous -- Cleveland Clinic.
Tell your friends & neighbors -- invite your own doctor to attend the rally! Please note that we extended the time for those still working and helping pay for TARP.

It is predicted the Senate will be voting on some sort of version of a health care bill within two weeks. We must turn our patriotism & passion into action by having everyone come to the Clinic along with having every able body person we know burning up the phones, faxes and emails our our 13 targeted Senators.

Tea Party Patriots -- We must make this fight NOW!

For more information, sign ideas, or setting up car pools go to the Forum section on our website (Click Here). For more information on the current Tea Party Patriot Health Care Action Alerts (Click Here).

This rally is being hosted by the Cleveland, Lake County, Geauga County, Lorain County & Medina County Tea Party Patriot groups.

See you on Monday!

The Cleveland Tea Party Patriots

A Non-Partisan, Non-Profit Grass Roots Organization
###

Medina Tea Party Patriots host Health Care Forum

From the Medina Tea Party Patriots --

Medina Healthcare Forum

“Understanding the legislation that’s being proposed in the House and Senate”

Please join us for a free community healthcare forum as Melanie Elsey, National Legislation Director for the American Policy Roundtable, explains the various healthcare bills being proposed and how they will affect our healthcare system. Melanie’s ability to put legislative language into layman’s term made her a great asset at our first healthcare forum in July. We are extremely fortunate to have her back for a healthcare update.
  • Date: Tuesday, October 27, from 6:45 pm to 8:45 pm. Doors open at 6:30; presentation will begin promptly at 6:45.

  • Location: Former Grace Drake Center/First Christian Church, 222 South Broadway Street, Medina, Ohio. The center is located between the Medina County Library and Garfield Elementary School. Click here for a map.

  • Forum format: With two bills in the Senate and three in the House, Melanie will give an in-depth presentation, highlighting important measures in these bills. There will be a question and answer session following her presentation.

  • RSVP: Seating for the forum is limited. For those who are interested in attending, please RSVP at medinateaparty@yahoo.com.

If you know others who may be interested in learning more about the healthcare legislation, please forward this invitation to them. For more information, please contact Jeff Malek or Amy Brighton.

Thanks,

Jeff Malek (jmalek09@yahoo.com)
Amy Brighton (
honoring1776@gmail.com)
Medina Tea Party Patriots