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Final hearings and mark-ups of proposed legislation to provide for comprehensive health care reform are now moving quickly in the U.S. Senate and House. Up to now, alcohol tax increases (among several other revenue sources) are still very much under consideration: the measure was included in the Senate Finance Committee's revenue options paper and numerous media reports point to the $60 billion that higher alcohol taxes could contribute to health care reform funding over the next decade.

The tax increase under consideration would raise the levy on distilled spirits by 20% (to $16.00 per proof gallon) and equalize the tax on alcohol in beer and wine to that level. Although this measure would represent progress, we are promoting a 50% increase in the tax on spirits (to $20.25 per proof gallon) and equalization at that rate. That tax scenario would provide more than $50 billion in new revenue over five years and some $110 billion over the next decade. In addition, indexing for future inflation would help avoid the steady dilution of the taxes and their contributions to the U.S. Treasury.

Please send the attached letter (or your version of it) to your U.S. senators and representative, as well as the chairmen of the four Congressional committees that have principal jurisdiction over health care reform legislation. And please act now, as the bills are moving rapidly toward committee and floor action. Industry lobbyists claim to be talking to committee staff and members "every day," so it's even more vital that pro-health voices be heard!