Baucus pushes 'some' benefits tax

Sen. Max Baucus said Tuesday morning that he hopes to convince President Obama that taxing some employer-provided benefits will help control health care costs, The Associated Press reports.

"Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., faces a hard sell. During his campaign for president, Obama ruled out taxing health benefits provided by employers. 'I know that's an issue we have to work out with the president, but I think it's an issue we will work out,' said Baucus, who is among several Senate Democrats scheduled to meet with Obama Tuesday afternoon." Baucus made his comments during an event in which the White House Council of Economic Advisers released a report linking economic fixes with health care reform (Werner, 6/2).

In the meantime, Roll Call reports that "Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag suggested the politically controversial idea should be off the table. 'I think we need to stay where we are,' Orszag said. 'That was not in the president’s plan. It was not in our budget.' Baucus declared that he believes a health care overhaul will be completed this year. Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., who was also at the meeting, said he believed a measure can be agreed to by committees considering the legislation over the next eight to 10 weeks" (Koffler, 6/2).