SCHIP: Is Increasing the Tobacco Tax To Expand Coverage a Good Idea?

Publication Date: September 2007

Publisher: Tax Policy Center

Author(s): Leonard E. Burman; Kim Rueben; Genevieve M. Kenney

Research Area: Banking and finance

Keywords: Child Health; Economic Well-being; Income and Wealth Distribution; Tax Policy

Type: Report

Abstract:

The original state children's health insurance program (SCHIP) was financed by an increase in the federal excise tax on cigarettes. President Bush has promised to veto legislation passed by the House to renew and expand SCHIP and increase the federal tax to 84 cents per pack because it "clearly favors government-run health care over private health insurance," but he also objects to the financing method, which he calls "a massive, regressive tax increase." While the president is correct that tobacco excise taxes are regressive, the package as a whole benefits low-income families with children and is, on balance, progressive. Published on HealthAffairs.org.