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June 20, 2006
At Least You're Safe in Your ICU Bed
... when those New Jersey taxes cause a cardiac arrest...
...for now.
Earlier Monday, Mr. Corzine backed away from a plan that would have brought in $430 million by taxing hospital beds in the state, conceding in a morning radio interview that the plan was dead. "I've relented on that," Mr. Corzine said in an interview on WKXW-FM, 101.5. "There are fights you're going to have. That isn't the biggest part of my budget. And it's out."
And it was a humdinger of a plan, too.
...Gov. Jon S. Corzine in his proposed budget called for a monthly tax on hospitals at a rate of about $1,400 per bed. Half of the $430 million raised would go to the state's general fund for a variety of programs. The other half would be used to increase the amount of matching funds the state receives from the federal government under the Medicaid program, which covers health-care costs of the poor.
You all sure can pick 'em.
Posted by tree hugging sister at June 20, 2006 09:03 AM
Comments
Taxing hospital beds???? WTF? Isn't there some talk about the high cost of medical care?
Someone is both desperate for income and very stupid in New Jersey. And it ain't Mr. Bingley.
Posted by: The_Real_JeffS at June 20, 2006 09:33 AM
It's a long tradition, JeffS - we don't elect governors, only Regrets-in-Waiting. On the bright side, in 2020 Jersey will be down to seven representatives because all the red staters will be in North Carolina, swigging with Crusader.
Posted by: Nightfly at June 20, 2006 10:01 AM