Smoking bill advanced by state Senate

Monday, April 19th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Senate voted overwhelmingly Monday for a stripped-down bill proposing a statewide vote to raise the tobacco tax to expand health care coverage for uninsured Oklahomans.

The bill now will be considered by the House and is expected to wind up in a joint conference committee.

Gov. Brad Henry proposed raising the tobacco tax to improve health care coverage, create a world-class cancer research center and beef up funding to the statewide trauma care system.

Henry's plan would raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by about 52 cents. That would bring about $130 million into the state treasury, money that would be matched with federal funds to provide health care coverage for thousands of uninsured Oklahomans.

Senators voted 38-12 for the House Bill 2660, despite arguments that the tax disproportionately penalized the poor and created a costly new social program.

Sen. Ben Robinson, D-Muskogee, Senate sponsor, said it would hold down insurance costs in the future as more Oklahomans are able to obtain medical services and hospitals do not have to write off emergency room visits.

"The Senate vote was another important step, but we still have a long way to go before Oklahomans get the chance to vote on this critical issue," Henry said.

He added: "Many powerful special interests had hoped to kill this proposal early in the legislative session, but because of overwhelming support from health care professionals, business people, newspaper editorial writers and Oklahoma citizens, the legislation is alive and moving to the next stage of the process.

"In the weeks to come, I will continue my discussions with legislative leaders of both parties and other stakeholders in an effort to develop a consensus behind a tobacco tax-financed health care initiative. I will be making the case for my proposed health care package and advocating for the voters' right to have their voices heard."

Sen. Charles Ford, R-Tulsa, argued against the plan, saying the state should not expand health care coverage until it adequately funds its current Medicaid program.