Options for Reducing the Federal Deficit

Options for Reducing the Deficit

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the federal government spent over $1.0 trillion, a quarter of the entire budget, just on health care (“Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026,” 2016). With that cost projected to rise, many deficit reduction options have been proposed to reverse the trend on health care cost; however, finding a solution that doesn’t bar people from obtaining and affording health care is of the up most importance. The option I favor is option 17, Increase the Excise Tax on Cigarettes by 50 Cents per Pack.

This option, in my view, would have a major impact on not only the cost associated with the delivery of health care but the would possibly increase the health of all in our society. Increasing the tax on cigarettes by .50 would generate over 34 billion in reduction to the deficit by 2026 (“Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026,” 2016). This would provide much needed relief to the health care which is stained, due largely in part by the effects of tobacco usage. According to an article by the British Medical Journal, “tobacco accounted for 61.2% of the cost to society, which is almost triple the of the reported second threat (during the timing of this article), which is alcohol at 22%” (Zinn, 2003). The burden imposed with the usage of tobacco is becoming more wide spread and the true cost being absorbed by unwilling/non-participating parties have grown. It has led to smoking being ban for all federal buildings and most public locations, yet there is still an alarming number of people having issues do in part to second hand smoke. Studies show that, “women that use any form of tobacco while pregnant, puts their child at risk for complications like: damaged structure of the umbilical cord and even miscarries; newborns second hand smoke bring complications resulting in sudden death syndrome and respiratory issues” (Forray, Foster, 2015). Professor David Collins told the Sydney Morning Herald, “most of the impact from tobacco usage is involuntary on an unborn child and children under the age of 14, because they have no control over their lives” (Zinn, 2003).

The health care facility I would choice for this change is physician practice, family practice. This sitting would allow you to see and treat all ages following the trend and changes of this new incentive to reduce the cost of health care an increase the general health of the entire society. If people continue to smoke as normal then that generates more funding in healthcare to provide with treatment for illnesses that will arise from the continued use of tobacco, On the other hand the office and can provide more awareness to not only expecting mothers but parents to reduce the chances or birth defects or second-hand smoke on children. Lastly for those that are seeking help quitting the use of tobacco, those funds can be used to provide resources that will aid in the successful completion of that step.



Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026. (2016, December). CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 2016(), 279-280. Retrieved from https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/114th-congress-2015-2016/reports/52142-budgetoptions2.pdf


Forray, A., & Foster, D. (2015). Substance Use in the Perinatal Period. Current Psychiatry Reports, 17(11), 91. doi:10.1007/s11920-015-0626-5


Zinn, C. (2003). Social costs of smoking are triple those of illicit drugs. BMJ : British Medical Journal, 326(7383), 242. doi:http://dx.doi.org.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/10.1136/bmj.326.7383.242/a