Good morning...Once again the news stories contain articles discussing government intervention into the obesity issue by such things as taxing sugar-containing sodas and perhaps other food sources that are contributing to the growing epidemic of obesity in the United States.
The government (by the way, we all seem to use the word "they" when it comes to affixing blame to a situation..."THEY" really do not care about the small investor... "THEY" are responsible for the mess in this country.."THEY" don't know how to drive in the snow... Okay...who are "THEY"??????????) is paying lots of money for healthcare in the Unites States, and with that being the case, does the government have the right to take steps to lower the obesity rate by such things as "taxing" poor food and drink choices? I think that most of us agree (especially us non-smokers) that we could care less what the government levels on cigarette sales. Most of Americans could care less if there was A 20 dollar surcharge on a pack of cigarettes...only people who would care are smokers, tobacco companies and operations that profit from selling the cigarettes. How about people who have no weight problems who feel their insurance premiums are high and/or their federal tax dollars afre being spent on healthcare for people who have co-morbidities seondary to obesity? Does the non-obese person who does not drink regular Pepsi care if there was a 20 dollar surcharge on a can of Pepsi?
Fundamental to this discussion are the "rights" of Americans to consume the sugar drinks, be at a weight that is not healthy and not be "penalized" for this via paying higher health premiums, taxes on foods/drinks that perpetuate the weight problems etc.
My thoughts? This is a capitalistic society and I love the freedom of America for businesses to sell their products in a competeive manner. However, if there are definite food/drink sources....tobacco, alcohol, high fructose drinks etc that are hurting Americans, then the government should, in fact, act on the people's behalf to lessen the chances of poor food/drink choices being made. Your thoughts?
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4 comments:
But where does it end? Tax on ice cream, cookies, potato chips, sugary cereal....I could go on and on. I agree they shouldn't be in the public schools, but perhaps a better approach than taxing would be education. My husband is thin and never was educated on nutrition. He has no idea if something has 100 calories or 500 calories. (I, however, am a walking nutrition book!).
Jenny
I think "they" should force the companies to change the ingredients in the foods, the high frutcose sugars etc, which are horrible for you should be removed...and if not, tax them. Who needs the anount of soda that we consume anyway? An occasional soda, like an occasional drink, is one thing. But we drink WAY too much!!
Rather than taxing "bad" foods, how about tax incentives for regularly exercising, appropriate BMI, getting checkups. I am appalled that my health insurance does not cover phentermine or your program...now I would think my health insurance would be happy I was working hard at losing weight...wrong, I have a better chance of getting cholestrol, blood pressure meds, insulin, etc...for a tenth of the price that phentermine costs. Something is really wrong with that---
When Mike Huckabee ran for president...and I wasn't a fan of his except...he had lost over 100 lbs and was a true testament to a different focal point of health insurance--I found that idea refreshing.
My friends are in the process of adopting from Korea...one requirement, both their BMI, in the normal range.
The notion of taxes on food focuses on the wrong behavioral lever. Don't tax the food; tax the foodie! Let us eat whatever we like, because that is what will happen anyway. Instead, use insurance company actuarial stats about obesity and co-morbidity to "tax" those who indulge in unhealthy behaviors with higher health care premiums. This is the same as getting health insurance if you smoke, life insurance if you sky dive, or auto insurance if you get a ticket for reckless driving. You don't have to change your behaviors as long as you are willing to pay the premium. Not willing to pay for your behaviors? Then I guess you have to change your behaviors, don't you? It's really simple.
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