Officials have decided to instead pursue health care as a separate initiative, a move that sidesteps a fight among liberals on Capitol Hill but that risks upsetting some progressive groups. Republicans have shown some willingness to negotiate with Biden on the first part of his agenda, including spending on roads, waterways and broadband internet. That contrasts with the president’s $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan, which Biden outlined last month. That starts with raising the top marginal income tax and the tax on capital gains – the proceeds of selling an asset like a stock or a boat – for people earning more than $1 million. Previous versions of Biden’s plan, circulated inside the White House, called for raising revenues by enacting measures to reduce the cost of prescription drugs bought using government health care programs.

Source: The Irish Times April 23, 2021 06:45 UTC