The National Basketball Association (NBA) is in discussions with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on ways to help promote the Obama administration’s signature health care law. But the league’s top players, including NBA Finals MVP LeBron James, are already feeling the effects of Obamacare’s tax increase right in their wallets.Under Obamacare, the Medicare payroll tax rate rose from 2.9 percent to 3.8 percent on January 1, 2013. James, a forward for the Miami Heat, will see a $157,905 increase in the Medicare payroll tax he currently pays on his $17.5 million salary, bringing his total Medicare tax bite to $666,710.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will have $250,642 more added to his Medicare payroll tax bill. Based on last season’s $27.8 million salary, Bryant’s new Medicare tax will be around $1.6 million under Obamacare this year.
“It’s clear that we’re having discussions, active discussions, right now with a variety of sports affiliates – both in terms of what will end up being paid advertising but hopefully some partnership efforts,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius regarding partnerships with professional sports leagues.
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