Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report Highlights Results Of Health-Related Ballot Measures In Several States

Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report highlights news coverage of the results of a number of the health-related state ballot measures voters considered on Election Day. Summaries of the measures listed by state appear below.

Arizona
Proposition 203: The measure passed by a 53% to 47% margin, with 99% of precincts reporting (Associated Press, 11/8). The measure will increase the state cigarette tax from $1.18 per pack to $1.98 per pack to fund health and education programs for children ages five and younger. Under the measure, a new Arizona Early Childhood and Health Board will establish a number of geographic regions, represented by 11-member councils of community leaders, to allocate the funds. Board members, which the governor will appoint and the state Senate will approve, will have authority to audit use of the funds. According to supporters, such as state chapters of the National Organization for Women and the Arizona Child Care Association, the measure is expected to raise about $150 million in additional revenue annually for early childhood programs and help improve childhood immunization and infant mortality rates. Opponents, such as the Arizona Tax Research Association and Americans for Tax Reform, maintained that the measure would lead to reduced cigarette sales and would decrease funds for other programs funded with revenue from the state cigarette tax. In addition, opponents had raised concerns about the accountability of the regional councils (Brodesky, Arizona Daily Star, 10/20).

California
Proposition 86: The measure failed by a 52% to 48% margin, with 98% of precincts reporting (California Secretary of State Web site, 11/8). The measure would have increased the state cigarette tax from 87 cents per pack to $3.47 per pack to fund hospital emergency department operations, and would have expanded health insurance for low-income children, smoking prevention and cessation programs and other programs. Supporters of the measure included a number of health advocacy groups -- such as the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association -- a number of consumer advocacy groups, such as Health Access and the California Public Interest Research Group, and hospitals (Halper, Los Angeles Times, 10/5). According to supporters, the measure would have provided an estimated $2.1 billion in additional revenue annually for health care programs and would have helped reduce smoking among state residents. Opponents, such as tobacco companies and the California Taxpayers Association, criticized the measure because hospital EDs would have received more than one-third of the additional revenue (Benson, Sacramento Bee, 10/25).

Missouri
Amendment 3: The measure failed by a 52% to 48% margin, with 3,570 of 3,734 precincts reporting (Missouri Secretary of State Web site, 11/8). The measure would have increased the state cigarette tax from 17 cents per pack to 97 cents per pack and would have tripled the tax on other tobacco products (Murphy/Rock, Kansas City Star, 11/4). Under the measure, the state would have used more than half of the estimated $351 million to $499 million in additional annual revenue from the tax increases to increase reimbursement rates for health care providers who treat Medicaid beneficiaries and uninsured residents. The state also would have used about 29% of the additional revenue to expand health care programs for low-income residents and 17.5% to fund smoking prevention and cessation programs (Associated Press, 11/2). Supporters -- such as the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association and health care providers -- maintained that the measure would reduce smoking rates among state residents and reduce state spending on health care for residents with tobacco-related diseases. Opponents, such as convenience stores and tobacco companies, criticized the measure because providers who treat Medicaid beneficiaries and uninsured residents would receive most of the additional revenue. In addition, they said measure would have unfairly targeted smokers (Kansas City Star, 11/4).

Oregon
Measure 44: The measure passed by a 77% to 23% margin (Oregon Secretary of State Web site, 11/8). The measure will expand a state prescription drug discount program to cover all state residents without coverage. The Oregon Prescription Drug Program -- which provides discounts of 30% to 60% on medications to about 150,000 state residents -- currently covers residents older than age 55 with annual incomes less than $18,130 who have not had prescription drug coverage for at least six months. Under the measure, the program will cover about 600,000 state residents, regardless of age or income. State Sen. Bill Morrisette (D) proposed the measure. AARP Oregon, Oregonians for Health Security and the Service Employees International Union supported the measure. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America did not formally oppose the measure (Colburn, Oregonian, 9/13).

South Dakota
Measure 2: The measure failed by a 61% to 39% margin (Associated Press, 11/8). The measure would have increased the state cigarette tax from 53 cents per pack to $1.53 per pack and would have increased the tax on other tobacco products from 10% to 35%of the wholesale price. Under the measure, the state would have placed the first $30 million in tobacco tax revenue into the general fund and would have used the next $5 million to fund smoking prevention and cessation programs (Shouse, Argus Leader, 10/21). The state would have divided any additional tobacco tax revenue among a property tax reduction fund, an education trust fund and a health care trust fund (Kafka, Associated Press, 10/23). Supporters -- such as state chapters of the American Cancer Society and American Lung Association, AARP and the South Dakota State Medical Association -- said that the measure would reduce smoking rates among state residents, prevent premature deaths and reduce the $250 million spent on health care for residents with tobacco-related diseases. According to opponents, such as the state chapter of Americans for Prosperity, the measure would have unfairly targeted smokers and would have reduced tobacco tax revenue for the state because of decreased sales of tobacco products (Argus Leader, 10/21).


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