Soda/Soft drink taxes

saathi · May 12th, 2009, 05:54 pm

Quote:

Senate leaders are considering new federal taxes on soda and other sugary drinks to help pay for an overhaul of the nation's health-care system.

The taxes would pay for only a fraction of the cost to expand health-insurance coverage to all Americans and would face strong opposition from the beverage industry. They also could spark a backlash from consumers who would have to pay several cents more for a soft drink.

On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee is set to hear proposals from about a dozen experts about how to pay for the comprehensive health-care overhaul that President Barack Obama wants to enact this year. Early estimates put the cost of the plan at around $1.2 trillion. The administration has so far only earmarked funds for about half of that amount.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington-based watchdog group that pressures food companies to make healthier products, plans to propose a federal excise tax on soda, certain fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks and ready-to-drink teas. It would not include most diet beverages. Excise taxes are levied on goods and manufacturers typically pass them on to consumers.

Senior staff members for some Democratic senators at the center of the effort to craft health-care legislation are weighing the idea behind closed doors, Senate aides said.

The Congressional Budget Office, which is providing lawmakers with cost estimates for each potential change in the health overhaul, included the option in a broad report on health-system financing in December. The office estimated that adding a tax of three cents per 12-ounce serving to these types of sweetened drinks would generate $24 billion over the next four years.

So far, lawmakers have not indicated how big a tax they are considering.

Proponents of the tax cite research showing that consuming sugar-sweetened drinks can lead to obesity, diabetes and other ailments. They say the tax would lower consumption, reduce health problems and save medical costs. At least a dozen states already have some type of taxes on sugary beverages, said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Senators Consider Soda Tax to Help Fund Health Care Overhaul - Presidential Politics | Political News - FOXNews.com

as u.s. tax dollars are going to work in china , the mainland u.s. is considering to raise more taxes by introducing soda or soft drink taxes . assumptions are that it will fund health care overhaul .

your say ?

ChaiWala · May 12th, 2009, 06:40 pm

Nowadays govts are just looking ways to get money.. and poor people are getting taxed for everything.. property tax, cigeret tax..
whats next.. toilet tax..?

I understand that the govt needs money and tax is the best way to get that, but think also keep a limit people..! u want us to work and additionally pay more than 50% of that as taxes ..!

that's what i think of tax

Now.. tax for Soda, would it work.. I doubt it will ever work. i think there was a tax before on the PLASTIC bottles to have them recycled, was that successful?..

if you want to be healthy, tax the multi-billion corporations who make these, so THEY are more alert on makin BETTER products..!

**just my 2.5 cents..!**

Thanks.

Amabel · May 12th, 2009, 06:54 pm

doesn't matter if its only a fraction - still gonna help. The healthcare system could surely need extra pennies.
Besides soda & sugery drinks aren't good for health. These are not basic needs.
I support this decision.

Aap kaa Khaadim · May 12th, 2009, 08:08 pm

It will actually make fatties like me to actually stop drinking these carbs filled drinks.

sooner the better.