Tax on high-end health plans threatens wider group

Wall Street Journal, August 10, 2009

A proposal to tax generous health plans is being given serious consideration by members of the Senate Finance Committee. Besides potentially generating tens of billions of dollars, proponents argue the move could slow the steep rise in health spending. They say generous insurance plans can encourage people to spend more freely on medical care. But the proposal being weighed by the Senate Finance Committee would tax health plans that cost much less, setting the bar perhaps as low as $25,000 a year for a family plan.