Strong Opposition to Federal Excise Tax Needed
Current conference discussions aimed at a compromise between the House and Senate versions of federal health legislation continue to include a 40 percent federal excise tax on health benefits costs that exceed $8,500 for single coverage and $23,000 for family.
Your immediate action is needed to oppose this additional new tax.
The House version contains a reasonable alternative that would fund health care reform through a tax on millionaires – defined as individuals making over $500,000 and families with incomes over $1 million.
As proposed, the federal excise tax will amount to a tax increase that will fall mainly on middle class workers and their families and is not fair.
Here’s what you need to do:
· Call your senators and tell them to oppose any measure that contains an excise tax:
Senator Frank Lautenberg, (973) 639-8700
Senator Robert Menendez, (973) 645-3030
· Call your congressman and tell him to oppose any measure that contains an excise tax. If you need help identifying your congressman, go to njea.org to find that information.
Attached is a Congressional district locator and roster as well as a sample phone script y ou may want to use to make your calls.
Additional information is available – and will be updated – at www.njea.org.
Act now to oppose this added tax – this bill could be finalized within days!