California's hospital industry is backing an effort to place a tobacco tax hike on next year's ballot. Supporters say the measure would generate money for cash-strapped emergency rooms. But critics say the initiative is poorly designed. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
The initiative would hike cigarette taxes by $1.50 a pack. Designers of the measure say it would raise nearly $1.4 billion a year. Most of the money would go to hospitals to help keep their emergency rooms open.
Initiative spokeswoman Maria Robles says more than 70 hospitals in the state have closed over the past decade.
Robles: "Currently there is no other potential funding in sight in order to keep emergency services open. And so that's what the intention of this initiative is."
But the California Medical Association complains the measure lacks proper controls. The CMA says there are no guarantees the money would only go to hospitals that are struggling financially.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
