BMI on FoxBiz: News Media Ignore Impact of Health Care Reform on Small Business

By NB Staff (Bio | Archive)
July 16, 2009 - 16:55 ET

BMI's Julia A. Seymour discussed the media's sparse reporting on health care reform's impact on small businesses July 16 on the Fox Business Network. Anchor Stuart Varney asked, "Is Washington waging war on small business? And is the news media ignoring it?"  Seymour told him:  

Yes, I think in - in many cases they are. If you look at last night's evening news coverage of this health care reform bill, or as you, you called it, uh, wealth reform bill, two networks out of three ignored the plight of small businesses altogether. Only CBS' Chip Reid did a story talking about the impact of sma- on small business of this bill.

Seymour also told Varney the news media "constantly attack the wealthy" and get "caught up in class warfare rhetoric." She continued, "It's no surprise that they wouldn't be going out and looking for business owners who are going to be damaged, um, by tax increases or higher regulation in this health care bill."


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I reckon we are putting the

July 16, 2009 - 17:20 ET by kangaroo

I reckon we are putting the cart before the horse here on the health care bill, I am getting a vibe that its not going to fly, having said that Obama is not going to take no for an answer. So he will be back with another bill until he gets his way.  And he won't be nice about it either.

Hey I have a great idea!

July 16, 2009 - 17:32 ET by MightyMouth

...why don't we give the "47 million" uninsured a million bucks each! Only stipulation is it has to be used for health care for their entire life. Then maybe the Messiah will STFU!

I know it sounds silly but I bet it would be better than the Hydrogen Health Bomb that is about to go off! 

"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...

Joe Biden: ‘We Have to Go

July 16, 2009 - 17:33 ET by ckc1227

Joe Biden: ‘We Have to Go Spend Money to Keep From Going Bankrupt’.

We’re going to go bankrupt as a nation,” Biden said.

“Well, people when I say that look at me and say, ‘What are you talking
about? You’re telling me we have to go spend money to keep from going
bankrupt?’” Biden said. “The answer is yes, I’m telling you.”

http://www.cnsnews.c...

..and the cost impact on working American families

July 16, 2009 - 18:32 ET by Gary Hall

Even today, the LA Times editorial board argued for:

For starters, lawmakers should consider rolling back the tax exemption for employee healthcare benefits.

Already on the table in both houses are discussions to remove the ability to deduct the insurance premium from their payroll (pre-tax) for employees with employer sponsored health plans, as well as for the self-employeed. This provides substantial savings in one's overall health bill.

It would not be unusual for a family (and I'm looking close to home) to be able to see deductions here in the $10,000 annual range.

Let's assume one is in the 25% federal income tax bracket and say a 3% state income bracket. Payroll taxes come to 7.65% (FICA and Medicare tax). Total ='s 36%.  36% of $10,000 ='s $3,600 in annual federal and state tax breaks.

If Obama's health plan passes with these tax deductions removed, tens of millions of American workers will see an immediate increase in their total annual cost for health care, as never seen before.

In addition, many of the radicals are also wanting to remove the health cost deductions as under Section 125 plans, and the HSA plans.  For 2009, this could mean the loss of another $5,950 in annual tax deductions for a family.

(;~/ gary

Millionaires.

July 16, 2009 - 20:06 ET by pbthinker

Well, I'm not a millionaire and I don't play one on television, one thing I do know is they can avoid taxes in more ways than Democrats can invent them.  Anytime you draw a line in the sand, people can find a way to not go over that line.  Some of that will automatically slow the economy, the law of unintended consequences.

With Obama, it's never about money, it's about being air. (His comment to Gibson about the Capital Gains tax increase he wanted).  

Election 2008-God's way of showing us that elections count.