Smokers in Indiana Help Pay for Uninsured.
In a recent vote the State Legislature by a 70-29 majority in the House and a 37-13 majority in The Senate, approved a measure that increases the state cigarette tax by 44 cents. The increase is earmarked to go into a recently created program that provides affordable health insurance for low income and uninsured residents.
Financial analysts with the State accounting office estimate that the measure when implemented can generate up to 206 million dollars in increased revenue annually. This is more than enough to fund Governor Mitch Daniel’s “Indiana Check –Up” health insurance plan.
Similar to such health-coverage-for-all plans recently enacted in States like Massachusetts and California, “Indiana Check-Up” has been designed to provide affordable health insurance to all individuals earning up to 200% or the Federal Poverty Level.
Under the health insurance plan those who qualify will pay between 2 and 5 percent of their adjusted gross income for private health insurance.
Other details of the plan include increasing the number of children and expectant mothers who qualify for Medicaid, and all children of qualified parents to remain with the affordable health coverage up to the age of 24.
Funds from the increased cigarette taxes under the program will also go into a pool that will help small businesses obtain affordable group health insurance plans.
To also further help to maximize access to affordable health benefits for all residents of the state, the program also gives tax incentives to all companies that provide health insurance benefits to their employees. That accounts for about another 132,000 residents according to estimates.
Of course Governor Daniels is expected to sign the bill into law.
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