US House health bill surtaxes in 2011, Medicare changes

WASHINGTON, July 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives healthcare overhaul bill expected to be unveiled on Tuesday will include surtaxes on the wealthy starting in 2011 and rising in 2013 if more money is needed to pay for its programs, Democratic Representative Ron Kind said.

The bill will include a blue-ribbon commission through the U.S. Institute of Medicine that will have one year to recommend changes in Medicare reimbursement rates. The new rates would go into effect for two years, with $8 billion set aside to pay for the changes, and Congress would then review the Medicare rates. (Reporting by Donna Smith, Writing by Jackie Frank)