By Ryan J. Donmoyer and Nicole Gaouette
Feb. 22 (Bloomberg) -- President
Barack Obama, seeking to
break an impasse over health-care legislation, proposed a plan
that includes the first Medicare tax on capital gains and higher
fees on companies such as
Pfizer Inc. and
Merck & Co. to help
cover millions of uninsured Americans.
The measure, which also scales back a tax on high-end
health benefits that was opposed by organized labor, marks a
reversal from months of leaving the legislation’s details
largely up to congressional Democrats, who have failed to agree
on a plan. Obama relied mostly on a Senate bill passed in
December, with elements of a House version passed in November.
The plan to cover 31 million uninsured Americans presents a
challenge to Republicans before a Feb. 25 meeting at Blair
House, across the street from the White House. Obama invited
leaders from both parties and called on Republicans, who have
almost universally opposed the Democratic plans, to offer their
own “comprehensive bill” to extend coverage and reduce costs.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aTtceUF35Ybw