DIABETES

New Bill Proposes Tax on Sugary Drinks

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro is pushing for a new bill that would tax sugary drinks in an effort to cut the cost of health care and raise awareness of medical conditions related to caloric sweeteners like sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.

The Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax Act would impose a tax of 1 cent per teaspoon of sweetener, according to a release from DeLauro’s office.

Tax money would fund prevention and treatment programs for obesity, diabetes and other conditions that can be caused by sweetened beverages, as well as research and health education, the release says.

According to the release, health conditions related to sugar sweeteners cost an average of $190 billion in medical expenses per year. Taxpayers foot more than 20 percent of the bill.

The full text of the bill is available online.

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