Controversial Idea

" We are learning more about what is in the house version of the health care reform legislation and there are some surprises. Meanwhile the Senate's top Democrat is making a new suggestion. About how to pay for the reform effort chief political correspondent Carl Cameron explains."

" Democratic senate majority leader Harry Reid is considering raising taxes on the rich through the Medicare payroll tax to help pay for the president's massive health care overhaul. It's not clear by how much. But the current one point 45% Medicare payroll tax would go up on anyone earning 250000. Dollars a year or more. The trial balloon comes amid intense pressure from democratic leaning labor unions. For an alternative to the already proposed tax hike. On high cost so called Cadillac insurance plans. Which are popular among unions for two weeks we've been sending material to the congressional budget office for cost analysis. But the contents of price tag remain a mystery. Not so in the 1992. Page house passed bill. Any legislation that size has -- out of these and healthcare is no exception. About food labeling vending machines read carefully. Any business operating twenty or more would be required to quote provide a sign in close proximity to each article of food -- the selection button. With calorie information for each item restaurants take a bite to. Chains with -- franchises or more would have to publish calorie counts on menus quote. In a clear and conspicuous manner and a vast document the cholesterol sodium carbohydrate and fat count people all the big Mac has a lot of calories. All of -- labeling does for restaurants is increase the cost of this kind of food. That this bill is a mess health care reform -- a victory for gay couples employer based insurance benefits for domestic partnerships will be made tax free. Just as they offer family members and employees in traditional marriages. Low income mothers and pregnant women would get tax Payer -- house calls from nurses and social workers to teach quote. Parenting practices and quote enhancing age appropriate development. Even the timber and paper industries are on the -- to help pay for health care reform. They stand to lose billions in tax credits for the creation of alternative fuels from their by products. The elimination of 44 billion dollars in alternative energy tax credits for pay for -- timber industries was part of the so called manager's amendment. That was never even considered by lawmakers in any committee. But neither was Reid's idea that tax the rich through Medicare it's a brand new Harry Reid concept from behind closed doors. Reid says he actually intends to make his plan public sometime next week right. We'll have at all here Carl thank you the --"