WHEREAS:

Various state and local governments have filed suits against the tobacco industry over the last several years to recoup a portion of their tobacco-related health care costs, including Medicaid; and

WHEREAS:

The national settlement reached in June, 1997 by the tobacco industry and the Attorneys General representing the states who had filed suit only compensates states for their tobacco-related health care costs; and

WHEREAS:

Local governments have incurred tobacco-related costs separate from the states’ costs. Local governments have incurred unique and substantial health care costs for serving individuals with tobacco-related diseases; and

WHEREAS:

Local governments provide unreimbursed health care to the indigent under general medical assistance programs through their facilities and/or make payments to other facilities; and

WHEREAS:

Many local governments also contribute directly to the non-federal share of Medicaid. The settlement made no provision for those legal and financial obligations; and

WHEREAS:

Local health departments provide care for tobacco-related diseases through traditional community-based public health programs; and

WHEREAS:

The U.S. Senate voted to postpone indefinitely any action on comprehensive tobacco legislation; and

WHEREAS:

The U.S. House of Representatives has not scheduled any action on comprehensive tobacco legislation.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME strongly urge the U.S. Congress to pass comprehensive tobacco legislation this year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME will fight to ensure that any federal legislation on tobacco must contain a direct funding mechanism to compensate local governments for their substantial costs incurred in serving individuals with tobacco-related diseases.

SUBMITTED BY:

Robert Myers, Jr., Treasurer and Delegate 
AFSCME Council 37
New York