by: Christine Zafra
Governor John Baldacci of Maine came out with a resolution: increase the taxes on cigarettes, collate the money and donate it to the state’s national health program. This is indeed beneficial in two ways: first, the state will have more money to fund their health programs and second, smokers will be encouraged to quit their habit of smoking. Major health groups in Maine conducted their own survey and they stated that more than the majority of Maine constituents are in favor of the increase. The said major health groups are lobbying that the increase be made to a dollar instead of the proposed 50 cent per pack.
Photo taken from http://stateofmaryland.ws
cigarette tax increase, maryland
In Ohio, two citizens between age 25-64 die every day because they don’t have health insurance, according to a report released by Families USA, a health-care consumer advocacy group. According to the report, more than 5,100 working-age adults in Ohio died because they lacked health insurance between years 2000-2006.
Previous studies show that uninsured residents are three times more likely to delay or forgo needed medical care like checkups, screenings and other preventive care. Because of this, they are more likely to be diagnosed with disease in an advanced stage and thus their chances of survival are decreased.
U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton said the study highlights the need for Democrats’ national health care reform proposals.
Clinton and Obama differ in perspective when it comes to health policies. Obama believes that people don’t have health insurance because they can’t afford it even if they want it. He aims to lower the cost of insurance. Clinton wants everyone to have cover and she will demand a penalty from those who don’t acquire it. However they both agree that insured people will be allowed to keep their current cover and that they will be offered news options and the less they earn, the higher the subsidy. Large employers will pay for al or part of health care cover and insurance companies must not be picky of customers.