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Show ce TheSalt Lake Tribune UTAH Sunday, November21, 1999 Tobacco Money Will Come, But Lawsuits Threaten Take While successful legal action could bankrupt tobacco companiesandlessensettlementsize, debate rages on how to spend windfall Seeee a an effort to make the SaundersMontgomery bill their endopsement, thus smoothing its Wdy during the upcoming legislatiye session. Montgomery said suchta move would allow the panel to needs; groups. THESALT LAKE TRIBUNE A shift has occurredin the way lawmakers talk about the mil- @ Do not spendit all at once; give the windfall a chance to grow, perhaps as part of an endowment; lines of the federal Centers for Disease Control, insists the state needs to spend at least $16.8 mil- lions Utah expects from its law- Use some of the money to fight tobaccouse. All three bills already drafted BY JUDY FAHYS suit settlement with tobacco companies. Finally convinced at least some moneywil! come, they are toying now with specific plans for divvying up the promised $1 billion. The attitude change could be heard last week in the Interim would meet this last goal. But none wouldprovide even half the sumrecommended for the sort of anti-tobacco effort being pushed by the Tobacco-Free Utah Coali- tion of health and anti-tobacco That group, under the guide- lion to mount an effective program to combat tobacco use and persuade young people to avoid thestuff. Montgomerysaid that spending would benice, but unlikely, with so many other state programs in need. Rep. Karen Mor- ganagreed. “I also felt it was important to be realistic,” said the Salt Lake the trust fund would get half the moneyleft over after $5.5 million City Democrat, explaining the $8 million cap in her bill for using the money on anti-tobacco pro- is deducted from payments made each year. Saunders, an Ogden Republi- better chance ofactualiy getting” from legislative appropriators. itting the settlement money into the state's education trust wouid be up to $400 million in the 25 years of expected payouts. fund is another suggested use. Undera formula includedin a bill Monigomery proposaiis a provision allowing the Legislature to spend a share of each year’s set- by Montgomery and committee co-chairman Rep. Carl Saunders, tlementasit chooses. Committee members balked at grams. “It’s something we have a can, estimated the interest earned Also under the Saunders- “take a stand.” = Many questioned the wis of locking the Legislature forever into a particular course of actian. Rep. Gerry Adair, a Roy real estate broker, said he wants;to talk with any lawmaker who expeets Utah will see the full $1 billion promised from the settle ment. He wants them to know he’s selling oceanfront prope) in Clearfield, a community about 1,000 miles from the nearést ocean. Health and HumanServices Com mittee debate on three bills al ready prepared for the 2000 Legis: lature, Panel members had no Saab VS. Abundance trouble changing “if to “shal!” one meavuredirecting hiwmakers howto spend the money The move comes a week after the 44 tobacco-settlement states and six territories learned the Good Science. Good Chemistry. money can be released after a DO YOU HAVE A BUNION? year of completing the settle ment's legal terms. A first pay ment of nearly $11 millionis ex pectedto land in Utah by month's end. Another $40 million more will come before next May, ac cording to the settlement’s timetable for payments. While committee might have been members confident Wednesday that some money will come, they remained skeptical ut will be reliable as a he ror °100 Over invoice source over the settle- You may qualify for a research study. Qualified participants can earn up to $400 for their opinion on theeffectiveness of investigational pain medications following the removal of their monies are preid the committee's co‘man, Sen. Bob Montgomery, RNorth Og depend onit. “We should not People who test deve aSab, usually buyaSab, GRUBER bunion. Surgery provided. Call Today! Similar cautions also were offered to legislative budgetmakers, Members of the Executive Appropriations Committee heard projected pa youts face several formidablethr One is Congress, which may (801) 565-0440 Visit our website at: wwww.SCIREX.com www.saabusa,com Ken Garff Saab G 543 South State © 297-7474 wow.kengartf.com 1 800 SAAB USA “offer expires 11/30/99 choose to cut its Medicaid grants as ay to force states to use theirsettlements for health and medical programs. That grant currentlygives $3 for every $1 a state contributes. Anotherpossible threat is one of several Jawsuits now in the courts. Onecla: tion suit recently filed in Florida could lead to the bankruptingof U.S. tobacco companies, lawmakersfear. So, too, could a Utahsuit filed last week that claims Utah de- Sometimes applause soundslike rain. serves no morethanthe $128 million it sought in its original claim againstthe tobacco companies. Bankruptcies would lead, in turn, to lower tobacco-lawsuit payments. Finally, if anti-tobacco forces succeed in reducing smoking, this aan source ofstate revenuewill burn up fast. “We may believe the tobacco industry has deep pockets,” said Spencer Pratt, a legislative bud get maker, “But if everybody has their hands in the [the tobacco companies’] pockets, its not going to last verylong.” Thus, the Health Committee's guiding principles for tobacco: settlement spending bills: WDon't build tobacco money into any necessary program; use the settlement only for one-time WECAN FINISH:YOUR BASEMENT BY illage satel NeL Salker Join all former staff pouring out. 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By providing computerized patient records, computerized pharmacies and digital radiology services, the University of Utah Health Network and the School of Medicinefaculty are giving their physicians the tools necessary to TIME TO CLEAN YOUR BLINDS? make better care decisions. This responsibility enhances the communication and trust we share with UnitedHealthcare and, most importantly, fosters the best care for you Just Bring Them To The HOUSE OF BLINDS ONE DAY SERVICE 487-5662 We also repair blinds 2432 South State 4 University of Utah University of Utah HealthNetwork School of Medicine UnitedHealthcare ) A UniodHoath Group Company |