AP sources: Health tax on high-earners may be out

WASHINGTON – Democratic officials say House and Senate negotiators working with the White House on a health care bill appear likely to drop a proposed income tax increase on high-wage earners. They also may jettison a requirement for large corporations to offer coverage to their employees.
These officials also said that key lawmakers and the White House were hoping to include more money to protect state governments from the cost of an expansion of Medicaid.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.
The developments came as the pace of negotiations on health care legislation quickened. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid were scheduled to meet with Obama at the White House Wednesday.