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Tax Unhealthy Behaviors Instead
I think that we need to separate the two questions of how to pay for health-care reform and the right tax rate for upper-income Americans. We should pay for health care reform through taxation that encourages healthy behaviors, such as taxes on cigarettes, alcohol and soft drinks, which raise revenues, reduce consumption and improve health. More equitable agricultural subsidies would also help to reduce obesity. We also need to do a better job measuring the potential benefits of prevention, to help aggressive prevention efforts pay for health care reform.
Relative to taxation of upper-income Americans, that should stand on its own merits -- or lack of merit. As an upper-income American, I would want to know whether what I pay is being well-spent. If it is for health-care reform, I would want to know whether it is good reform or just an overly ambitious and misguided public plan. I would gladly pay for government services that improve the health, well-being and productivity of all Americans, but would not want to support increased taxes without a clear path toward these goals.
By
Michael Critelli
|
July 13, 2009; 3:46 PM ET
| Category:
Health Care Reform
,
Taxes
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Posted by: lensch | July 14, 2009 10:15 PM
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"I would gladly pay for government services that improve the health, well-being and productivity of all Americans, but would not want to support increased taxes without a clear path toward these goals."
HR676 (Medicare for All) does exactly what you want. It provides a clear path towards your goals of improving the health, well-being and productivity of ALL Americans AND it does so in a cost effective way.