Labor opposes tax on health benefits

The possibility of the federal government taxing some employer-provided health benefits to help pay for an overhaul of the health care system isn’t sitting well with labor officials.

“Every time you turn around someone’s hitting you in the head with a shovel,” said Jim Graham, president of the United Auto Workers Local 1112 at the Lordstown General Motors complex, about the proposal.

It was less than a year ago that Graham’s union had 3,700 members. That number is now at 1,300.

The possibility that those remaining would have to pay additional tax dollars for their health plan bothers Graham.

“We’re about taxed out,” he said. “What’s next?”

The health care reform proposal, to be unveiled this week, would cost $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion over 10 years, with much of the cost paying to cover about 46 million without health insurance.

Read more in Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com