opinion
Tax unhealthy foods to pay for treating those made ill by them
Posted Oct. 4, 2010
Regarding "AMA meeting: Fight obesity by adopting nutritional rating system" (link): Adopting a nutritional rating system is a good beginning to solve this epidemic problem. I propose, in addition, that a fat/fast food tax be imposed to lower the consumption by at least 10% and to pay for the health care of those millions who are unable to change lifestyles by avoiding these unhealthy foods. Nutritious foods can be subsidized to render them affordable for the poor while allowing the food industry to benefit from the sale of healthy foods and beverages.
Don't let the food lobbyists continue to damage the health of our fellow Americans.
Joseph DiPoala Sr., MD, Webster, N.Y.
The print version of this content appeared in the link issue of American Medical News.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/10/04/edlt1004.htm.