As Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WVa) points out, the health care proposal introduced by Sen. Baucus includes a big — make that humongous — tax increase on working class folks who happen to be union members or others that are privy to benefit rich health plans- folks like coal miners in Rockefeller’s state.

By early estimates, an average West Virginia coal miner might suddenly see his paycheck shrink dramatically in 2013 and beyond. That’s because of a proposed 35% excise tax on benefit rich plans.

Of course, if Baucus strips out the excise tax, he loses about $200 billion in additional funding – money needed to support health care plan purchases by people who cannot otherwise afford coverage.

What a mess these idiots are creating.

According to yahoo news, it now appears as though Sen. Baucus may unveil a draft of health care legislation without the support of Republicans, thereby dimming any chance of producing a truly bipartisan bill. See story here.

Moreover, Democrats are also lining up in opposition with outspoken W. Virginia Senator Rockefeller stating he cannot support the bill (apparently because it does not give the federal government enough hands-on control). Side bar comment: Whatever happened to West Virginia?

At a meeting yesterday (9/15/09) in Denver, Don Hamm, CEO of Assurant Health, and a leading member of AHIP’s individual medical team, pegged the odds of no bill being passed this year at about 30%.

I’m beginning to believe it’s more like 60% – there simply are too many competing factions. And now, you have the Democrats who can’t even agree with each other.

Another side bar comment: Are they are *really* Democrats?

The longer this goes on, the more unbelievable it becomes.