Senators Consider Soda Tax to Help Fund Health Care Overhaul
The Senate Finance Committee is set to hear proposals from about a dozen experts about how to pay for the comprehensive health-care overhaul, including a proposal to tax sugary drinks.
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.