I would prefer to leave this part of the BITD framework as is.
The issue described may be better solved with GM and players taking a step back/have a talk about trying to focus on story and less meta-gaming. Urge players to simply proceed how their character would proceed in the story, even if it is not the "optimal" risk/reward.
Alternatively the GM can use BITD rules to push players to cut to the action (something comes up that forces decision/action from players instead of continued debate - time sensitive situation)
Overall the group may need more reflection on choosing story over exploitation of rules, not rule changes as new rules can still be meta-gamed/exploited.
Also way I read it seems that risk level and effect level are being tied together in the situation described (must have desperate to have greater effect) when they do not need to be as I understand BITD.
In short I feel there are better ways to solve this than a rule change.