We all know Florida is facing a serious budget deficit… and we’re running out of time to close the gap.
But did you know that with a simple piece of legislation, Florida’s government could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to help pay for health care?
Most tobacco companies that do business in Florida help pay the state’s health care bills – but not all. By closing this loophole in the state’s tobacco policy, Tallahassee could collect more than 200 million dollars a year for health care.
With costs rising, Florida can’t afford to let hundreds of millions of health care dollars slip through its fingers.
Tell your State Senator and Representative that all cigarette sales should help to pay Florida’s health care costs today!
Simply complete the form at right to be matched to your legislators and click the TAKE ACTION button to send your personal message.
Click on the links below to listen to radio ads about this important issue:
Radio Ad One (SERIOUS)
Radio Ad Two (BIG)
More information:
Currently, the major tobacco manufacturers pay Florida around $400 million a year under the 1998 Tobacco Settlement Agreement. Florida uses these funds to help defray the costs of health care.
But this situation has led to some serious problems for Florida.
Since 1998, the manufacturers that do not make any payments to the state – the so-called “Non-Participating Manufacturers” (NPMs) – have grown from virtually nonexistent to a market share in Florida of over 20%. That’s one out of every five packs of cigarettes.
That means that consumers who buy cigarettes made by the settling manufacturers in effect are contributing to health care costs in Florida, while consumers who buy cigarettes made by the other manufacturers are not.
That’s not good for Florida. Florida is losing out on revenues it can collect on non-settling manufacturer cigarette brands. If Florida closes this tobacco policy loophole and uses the revenue to receive matching Medicaid dollars, Florida could collect over $200 million – all for health care costs.
Click here to see what others are saying about this important issue.