The Whitehouse reached an agreement with labor to avoid the proposed excise tax on health care. The deal would exclude  not apply to policies covering workers in collective bargaining agreements, state and local workers and members of voluntary employee benefit associations through Dec. 31, 2017.The excise tax is still part of the reform package but it could allinate middle class voters and will be a big threat to fire fighters in the future. The IAFF stands firmly against the excise tax as a means to pay for the much needed reforms. The IAFF has been the lone union to stand against leaving the excise tax as part of the package. If we are going to reform healthcare it should be done carefully and should not pander to individual interests.