For Immediate
Release: May 11, 2004
Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson
Senator
Hobson Comments on Governor’s Final Health Care Proposal
“The issue at hand is the health of
Oklahomans. Our state is in the midst of a true health crisis
and the facts are clear – smoking is one of leading
reasons why Oklahoma is among the unhealthiest states in
the nation."
“Governor Henry has shown extraordinary leadership
to get us to this point. Now we must determine if a majority
of the members of the Legislature will have the courage
to stand up against those who want to continue to put profits
from tobacco above the health of current and future generations
of Oklahomans."
“The governor has crafted a proposal that will attack
our state’s health problems on a large number of fronts
– from expanding health insurance coverage for the
uninsured to filling our need for a comprehensive cancer
center; and from creating and maintaining a statewide trauma
care network to ensuring access to health care through increasing
the rates paid to those who provide medical services to
Oklahoma’s neediest citizens."
“Most importantly, all of these initiatives are funded
by a tax increase that will make smoking less attractive,
especially to the thousands of children whose lives will
be saved because they will never take up smoking.”
For
more information contact:
President Pro Tempore's Office -
(405) 521-5605
