Biden to propose tax hike on highest earners to fund Medicare

President Biden is expected to announce a plan this week to increase tax for those earning over $400,000 a year. The revenue raised from the tax will be spent on extending Medicare, a federal insurance program for people over 65 or those living with certain disabilities.

By levying the tax increase, the US government can redistribute income from high earners to those who are unable to access healthcare services or pay for their own insurance.  

Medicare is in desperate need of funding to avoid insolvency. The proposed tax hike is predicted to raise $700 billion in the next decade, providing much needed cash to continue the program for the next 25 years. This couldn’t come at a more pertinent time, with Medicare in desperate need of funding to avoid insolvency.

THINK LIKE AN ECONOMIST!

Q1. Define income inequality.

Q2. With reference to the article, explain why governments want to redistribute income.

Q3. Evaluate the view that taxing high-income workers is the most effective way to redistribute income in an economy.

Click here for the source article

TheCuriousEconomist

Recent Posts

U.K. Government Seizes Control of British Steel Plant

It’s a dramatic move—but one the U.K. government believes is essential for national economic security.…

5 days ago

U.S. Tariffs on China Surge Past 100% as Trump Escalates Trade War – but why?

A new chapter in the U.S.-China trade war is unfolding—and it’s one that economists fear…

1 week ago

Can Defense and Housing Turn the Tide on Sluggish GDP Growth in the UK?

The U.K. economy is still stuck in low gear. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)…

3 weeks ago

PepsiCo Plans $1.95 Billion Poppi Acquisition

PepsiCo is planning to acquire prebiotic soda brand Poppi for $1.95 billion, marking a major…

1 month ago

South Africa Unveils $54.5 Billion Infrastructure Plan to Boost Growth

South Africa has announced a three-year, 1 trillion rand ($54.5 billion) public infrastructure plan aimed…

1 month ago

Canada Pulls U.S. Alcohol from Shelves in Retaliation for Trump Tariffs

The U.S.-Canada trade war is spilling over—literally. In response to Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian…

1 month ago