Asked by Baylee Tullo on Jul 26, 2024

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During recent elections,consumer groups in various states attempted to get the sales tax on all medicines and drugs removed.They argued that such a tax is severely regressive.What is the economic interpretation of their statement?

A) The poor get ill more often than do the rich.
B) The poor pay higher prices for medicine and drugs than do the rich.
C) The poor pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes on medicine and drugs than do the rich.
D) All consumers pay too much money for medicine and drugs.
E) The sales tax discourages the poor from seeking medical treatment.

Regressive Tax

A tax system designed so that the rate of tax reduces as the taxable income rises.

Consumer Groups

Organizations that advocate for the rights and interests of consumers by providing education, policy advocacy, and products or services testing.

Sales Tax

A tax imposed by a government on sales of goods and services, collected by the retailer and passed on to the government.

  • Obtain knowledge on the arguments, base principles, and outcomes of various tax architectures.
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Veronica RodriguezJul 30, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
The statement about the sales tax being "severely regressive" suggests that it disproportionately affects low-income individuals. This would be the case if the poor pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes on medicine and drugs than do the rich, as suggested by choice C. Choices A and B may also be true, but they do not directly relate to a regressive tax. Choice D is not supported by the given information, and choice E is a possible outcome but not the economic interpretation of the statement.