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American Heart Association urges tiered sugary-drink tax to fund children's health programs
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Summary
The American Heart Association testified in support of S.2034, a tiered tax on sugary beverages, arguing the tax would reduce consumption, lower chronic disease risk and generate revenue for the Children's Health Promotion Fund.
The American Heart Association told the Joint Committee on Revenue on Tuesday that a tiered tax on sugary drinks could reduce consumption and generate dedicated revenue for children's health programs.
Chris Feeney, Massachusetts government relations director for the American Heart Association, testified in support of S.2034, "an act to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks." Feeney said sugary drinks are the largest source of added sugars in the American diet and cited evidence from Berkeley and other jurisdictions that taxes reduce purchases, particularly in lower-income communities.
"Just one a day increases a man's risk of a heart attack by 20 percent," Feeney told the committee, citing public-health research. He said a modest tax could produce hundreds of millions in annual revenue to the Children's Health Promotion Fund to support healthy-food access and related programs.
Supporters argued the measure would shift consumption patterns and improve long-term health outcomes. No committee action was taken at the hearing.
Why it matters: Advocates view a sugary-drink tax as a public-health measure that simultaneously discourages unhealthy consumption patterns and funds prevention programs targeted to children.
What's next: Committee consideration; fiscal estimates and bill details to be refined.
