Statehouse Rally Supports Governors Cigarette Tax Hike

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(STATEHOUSE) - 20 Indiana health organizations have joined forces to try to breathe life into a proposed cigarette-tax hike with a statehouse rally.

Governor Daniels exhorted a crowd of hundreds to encourage legislators to do what he says they know is the right thing: a higher cigarette tax to pay for health coverage for the uninsured.

The rally sought to shift the debate away from the fiscal and political impact of raising taxes, and remind legislators the stated goal of the tax hike is a healthier Indiana. "I have experienced the level of pain and level of frustration of our uninsured patients," said Sabrina Williams, medical director of citizens health center in Indianapolis. "Many do not get preventive care due to costs."

Last month, the house voted 52-44 to reject a quarter-a-pack increase in cigarette taxes to pay for an insurance plan for low-income Hoosiers. That leaves it up to the senate to revive the plan, in the budget or another bill.

Many groups have urged a dollar-a-pack increase. Officials estimate a price that high would persuade 141-thousand smokers to quit.

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