MA: MASS. GROUP SET TO PUSH FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE

United Pro Smoker's Rights ^ | 5-28-05

[SheLion]

A coalition of religious and community groups will launch a drive today to put universal healthcare on the 2006 state ballot, in a proposal that would raise the cigarette tax to buy coverage for more people and would require all but the smallest Massachusetts businesses to cover their workers.

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The latest on punitive action against smokers in Massachusetts for your information and dissemination:

"A coalition of religious and community groups will launch a drive today to put universal healthcare on the 2006 state ballot, in a proposal that would raise the cigarette tax to buy coverage for more people and would require all but the smallest Massachusetts businesses to cover their workers.. Under [Uxbridge Democrat state Sen. Richard] Moore's similar proposal, the state would add 50 cents to the $1.51 per pack cigarette tax, a move that might raise as much as $150 million a year. 

Much of that money would be used to expand MassHealth, the Bay State's Medicaid program.... Nevertheless, the leaders of the healthcare campaign say there is a moral and religious imperative to make sure that every citizen is covered. Eddly Benoit, a church elder at Dorchester's Temple Salem Seventh Day Adventist Church, said that up to a fourth of the members of that congregation lack health insurance."

[Gabz]

LOL, do you KNOW how hard it was for me to let that slide?

Probably about as hard as it was for me to not say something entirely different that I did!! LOL!

Will do Gabz. If not tonight then tomorrow. Thanks for responding.

It is my pleasure.

[Goodgirlinred]

I believe that both have rights, smokers and nonsmokers. If they are going to put high taxes on tobacco products, then they will have to make it fair and put high taxes on all alcoholic beverages, too. I don't see that happening, do you all? Maybe they should do the same for candy and fast food to make it fair. Then everybody will have to share the burden.