State Ballot Measures Focus On 'Nuts-and-Bolts' Issues, Such As Health Care Funds, According To New York Times

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 07 Nov 2007 - 10:00 PDT

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The New York Times on Tuesday examined how most state and local ballot measures that voters will consider on Tuesday focus on "nuts-and-bolts concerns," such as funds for health care programs.

In Oregon, voters will consider a ballot measure that would increase the state cigarette tax by 84.5 cents per pack to expand health insurance to more uninsured children. Supporters, which include hospitals and health insurers, have raised almost $1.4 million and have spent about $460,000 on television advertisements to promote the measure. According to the Times, the "spending by both sides has made the ballot measure the most expensive in the state's history" (Urbina, New York Times, 11/6).

PBS' "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" on Friday reported on the Oregon ballot measure. The segment includes comments from Alison Mitchell, a family practitioner in Oregon; J.L. Wilson, a tobacco industry lobbyist; state Rep. Sara Gelser (D); and Oregon residents (Hochberg, "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," PBS, 11/2). Audio, video and a transcript of the segment are available online.

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