A fast food tax to help New Jersey hospitals? Governor open to idea

New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine said he is open to using a "sin tax" to help provide funding for struggling hospitals. Amy Mansue, of Children's Specialized Hospital, suggested a fast food tax during a meeting between Corzine and hospital leaders on proposed state hospital and healthcare aid cuts. Corzine called the idea "a constructive suggestion" to help offset $2.7 billion in proposed cuts to try to fix finances plagued by deficits and high debt and taxes. Hospitals have warned Corzine that slicing aid would bring closed hospitals, lost jobs and longer waits for medical care.