Economist Paul Krugman says the issue of income inequality is a problem without a simple or clear answer.

“I think the reason to be worried about income inequality is not what it does to GDP. The reason to be worried about income inequality is what it does to people, which is ultimately what we care about,” the Nobel Prize winner says.

Children from lower income families do not receive the same medical care and nutrition as other children. Krugman points out that studies looking at the long-term effects of anti-poverty programs targeted at children show positive results. “They are healthier, more productive, more successful citizens of our society,” he says.

He also responds to critics who say higher tax rates would disincentivize work by pointing out the counter example of New York City where rates are fairly high. “Does this city out here look to you like a place where people just don’t really work very hard because taxes are too high? It doesn’t strike me that way,” he says.

Click here to watch the video at CNBC to hear more from Paul Krugman on income inequality