Reply #5: It doesn't make sense - except from the corrupt corporate angle:

[salin]

Corporations don't want to pay anymore. Those that have been upfront about it - by just dumping health cared - have faced some pr nightmares. So bushco rolls it into its "ownership society" bs; puts it into a tax-cut/tax-simplification package (which he is batting a thousand on getting tax cuts passed); and gives the corps what they want.

From a public policy perspective, you are correct, it makes no sense. Yet, listen to the rhetoric that accompanies the "need to make health care affordable" that he is beginning to use - and see if the themes I list above are not the ones being pushed; then do a google for bushco's tax simplification panel/commission's recommendations - and read the part that wants to end all tax incentives for employer-paid health care. There suddenly is no explanation other than - they want to end it as we know it. No where does it become more obvious that they really don't give a damn about the american people - because no end can come of such policies except throwing millions of americans off of health insurance - all for cheap political gains in the forms of corporate largesse being poured upon the GOP and all of their campaign fundraising vehicles (legal and illegal.)

We can only hope were this to occur - that there would be a counter move for universal or single payer care. Though I would venture to bet it would take years to occur and great damage will already be wraught.