President Obama is still leaning toward a tax plan he proposed in February to help pay for healthcare reform, White House strategist David Axelod said.

His plan, limiting itemized deductions for the 3 million highest earners in the nation is not supported by Democrats who want a plan Republicans can get behind, The Washington Post reported Monday. Those Democrats hope to see a tax on health benefits valued at more than $15,000 a year.

Much of the funding of a comprehensive healthcare system will come from cutting federal spending on programs for the elderly and the poor, the Post said. Obama promised not to borrow any additional money for a healthcare reform expected to cost more than $1 trillion to ease fears over an expanding federal deficit.

Those in opposition to a tax on health benefits claim the $15,000 threshold actually hurts firms that employ many older workers or women of childbearing age rather than firms with the highest-paid employees.