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March 14, 2008
Legislator Logic
Only a Maine legislator could think of something this stupid - let's pay for healthcare...by taxing healthcare!
AUGUSTA, Maine - A bill before Maine lawmakers aims to re-energize the state's troubled DirigoChoice health insurance program. The measure would replace the much-reviled "savings offset payment" with a 50-cent-a-pack tax increase on cigarettes and a 1.8 percent surcharge on every hospital bill.I've got an idea. It's kind of radical, but stick with me. If the program is so troubled, and isn't attracting the numbers that were predicted, then maybe it's time to re-examine the entire program instead of simply tinkering with its funding structure. Maine is already in the hole - why are we looking for more money to shovel into the Dirigo pit?But a spokesman for Gov. John Baldacci said Thursday afternoon the governor won’t consider endorsing any new taxes to pay for Dirigo until the state’s budget crisis is settled.
Posted by slublog at March 14, 2008 08:28 AM
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Comments
Can someone point this out to Aaahhnold? We already have a huge tax on smokes to pay for kids' programs, and a $16B budget deficit, and he's proposing a $14b/yr health care plan...
Posted by: Smokey Behr at March 14, 2008 04:36 PM