Saturday, January 09, 2010
Manchin Proposes Cigarette Tax Increase
WEST VIRGINIA....
West Virginia has the nation's highest adult smoking rate, although it's cigarette tax is among the lowest, at only 55 cents per pack. Speaking at The Associated Press' annual Legislative Lookahead conference Friday, Governor Joe Manchin said he believes a cigarette tax increase could help West Virginia pay for what may be a considerable price tag from federal health care legislation. He estimates the U.S. House version would cost the state $725 million, while the Senate version would increase the state's costs by $150 million. He feels both versions would require expanding Medicaid insurance coverage to 150% of the federal poverty level starting in 2013.
West Virginia has the nation's highest adult smoking rate, although it's cigarette tax is among the lowest, at only 55 cents per pack. Speaking at The Associated Press' annual Legislative Lookahead conference Friday, Governor Joe Manchin said he believes a cigarette tax increase could help West Virginia pay for what may be a considerable price tag from federal health care legislation. He estimates the U.S. House version would cost the state $725 million, while the Senate version would increase the state's costs by $150 million. He feels both versions would require expanding Medicaid insurance coverage to 150% of the federal poverty level starting in 2013.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 9:09 AM 
