House panel passes tax increase for health plan

[July 17, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House Ways and Means Committee has passed legislation to revamp health care, approving tax increases on the wealthy to help pay for the plan.

The committee voted 23-18 to approve the bill. Three Democrats joined all committee Republicans in voting against the bill.

Over the next decade, the bill would impose $544 billion in new taxes on families making more than $350,000.

The vote came early Friday, more than 16 hours after members started debating dozens of Republican amendments that were ultimately rejected. Republicans complained that the bill would hurt small business owners who pay business taxes on their individual returns. Democrats say the tax increases will affect only 4.1 percent of tax filers who report small business income.

[Associated Press]

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