HEALTH-CARE REFORM Quotes

The federal government is considering taxing some employer-provided health benefits to help pay for a new national health care system. Here’s some opinions on the proposal.

Jim Graham, president of the United Auto Workers Local 1112 at the Lordstown General Motors complex: “I’m disappointed they’re even looking at this proposal. Every day it gets weirder and weirder.”

Anthony Caldwell, spokesman for the Service Employee International Union District 1199: “Health-care reform is going to take shared responsibility on the part of business, government and individuals ... This was a key principal of the [John] McCain health-care plan which was strongly opposed by working families during the 2008 presidential campaign.”

U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-6th, who represents all of Columbiana County and a portion of Mahoning County in the House: “There are going to be a lot of difficult decisions that have to be made.”

Brad Calhoun, president of the Boardman Education Association, the union which represents 320 teachers in that school district: “I don’t see this as something Americans would support. It’s another tax burden. Who could afford to pay an additional tax? I also don’t know if I trust the federal government to use the money properly.”