News & Press
Martha Roby: Standing Up Against ObamaCare’s Higher Taxes Is Not “Immature”(MONTGOMERY, AL) – The public is learning more about the provisions of the Democrats’ health care law, and the bad news just keeps coming for American taxpayers. After campaign promises that no family making less than $250,000 annually would face tax increases, the President signed into law a bill that will do just that. The health care law changes the tax laws in a way that will affect every American family. Currently, individuals and families can deduct medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of their Annual Gross Income (AGI). This deduction means that income above that threshold spent on health care is not taxed, making health-related care, goods, and services more affordable. Beginning in 2013, the 7.5% threshold will raise to 10%. This part of the Democrats’ health care legislation will be an effective tax increase on families and individuals with significant medical expenses. “By removing the ability to deduct significant, life-saving medical expenses, the Democrats have raised taxes on families of all income levels,” said Martha Roby, Republican candidate for Alabama’s Second Congressional District. “To call this anything other than a tax increase is simply dishonest. This legislation raises our taxes and costs us jobs, but it doesn’t begin to address any of the real problems facing our health care system. Real reform is possible, but first, this flawed legislation must be repealed.” Calls for repeal have echoed across Alabama’s Second District, but Congressman Bobby Bright (D-AL) believes that his party’s health care bill should be allowed to take effect and has gone so far to call fighting for repeal “immature.” “Our Congressman likes to tell us how independent his party allows him to be,” said Roby. “If this is the case, then we can only assume that Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership are not pressing him to make these comments. I for one believe that if you oppose this legislation you should fight to repeal it and replace it with something better. There’s nothing ‘immature’ about standing up for what you believe.” “We must send strong conservatives to represent us in Washington to fix this. To start, my first vote will be to take the gavel away from Speaker Pelosi,” Roby said. “I have a clear, conservative record of standing against increased taxing and spending, and I am ready to put America back on the right track.”
Among its many changes to the tax code, ObamaCare will effectively increase taxes on all Americans by increasing the threshold on the deduction for medical expenses: “Right now, you can claim an itemized deduction for medical expenses (incurred for you, your spouse and your dependents) to the extent they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income or AGI. Starting in 2013, the hurdle is raised to 10% of AGI unless you’re 65 or older. For seniors, the 10%-of-AGI rule won’t kick in until 2017.” SOURCE: Bill Bischoff, “Health Care and Your Tax Bill,” SmartMoney.com, 3/31/10
“There is some good things about (the bill), though, and to say let’s appeal the whole thing is immature politics.” SOURCE: Holli Keaton, “Congressman has Health Care on Mind,” Troy Messenger, 4/5/10
“While Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Montgomery voted against the bill he said he is hesitant to jump on board with a full-scale appeal. ‘While I strongly disagree with many aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and voted against the bill, I believe it’s premature to discuss repealing a bill that was just passed and has yet to be signed into law by the President,’ he said. ‘A wholesale repeal, or legal challenge, of the bill ignores the fact that this legislation contains some good parts, many of which will go into effect soon.’” SOURCE: Ryan Charles, “State may join in lawsuit over health care bill,” Troy Messenger, 3/22/10 ### |
