Oregon Public Broadcasting

Children’s health insurance could once again be at the top of the agenda when the Oregon Legislature convenes next year.

A plan to fund it with a cigarette tax hike died last year.  This time, lawmakers might use a different strategy.  Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman has more.

It was one of Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s highest priorities in 2007.  But the cigarette tax he proposed to fund children’s health care didn’t pass muster with lawmakers or voters.

Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Richard Devlin, says health coverage for kids will be back on the agenda when the Legislature convenes in January.

Richard Devlin:  “Oregonians were very clear on the large cigarette tax that was put before them.  But I think it’s our job to find a way to cover those children because I think the average Oregonian out there expects that when a child has a need that that need is going to be met.”

Devlin wouldn’t rule out a smaller version of a cigarette tax increase.  But lawmakers are also considering a hike in taxes on health care providers. 

Senate Democrats outlined their agenda this week in advance of a two-month pre-election moratorium.  It bans the use state resources to promote political agendas.