Health Care Providers Ask For New Tobacco Tax

Healthcare groups from across the state are calling on the legislature to impose a $1.50 tax on tobacco and accept federal Obamacare dollars.

Otherwise, they say the state's healthcare system is facing disaster.

The associations say the proposed 25 percent cuts in Medicare would have a serious impact on low income Oklahomans and ripple effect on the rest of the state.

The healthcare associations say imposing the $1.50 tax on cigarettes would raise the funds to keep hospitals and nursing facilities open while reducing smoking statewide.

House Democrats do not support the tobacco tax.

Instead, they want Republicans to roll back tax cuts that went into effect in the beginning of the year.