Obama says he is open to proposals in Congress to pay for health care overhaul

Obama open to finance plans for health care

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he is open to the proposals emerging in Congress to pay for health care overhaul.

At a prime-time news conference Wednesday, Obama said few lawmakers had embraced his proposal to limit itemized deductions for the wealthiest Americans. Instead, lawmakers have proposed taxing the wealthy and other measures to finance what is expected to be a $1 trillion package over 10 years.

Obama said he wouldn’t rule out any congressional ideas. One exception, however, would be any plan that taxes the middle class. Some lawmakers have suggested taxing the health care benefits that employers provide to their workers.