To the editor,
the publisher, or the newsroom:
 In the last two years I lost two aunts related to tobacco use. Medical problems as a result of tobacco use are responsible a great portion of costs in health care. It would be reasonable that some effort be made to offset these costs by the taxing of tobacco products.
 It is my understanding that Senate Bill 54 is being presented for the purpose of providing additional funding to shore up TennCare. I feel this is a good step in the right direction and I encourage all to support it.
 The “cut-backs” being proposed will not lower the healthcare expenses for the State of Tennessee. It will only shift the costs somewhere else. Without adequate cost restraints the real medical costs to the citizens of this state will most certainly increase. All the legislature will do by passing the proposal “as is” will be to reduce a line item on the state budget without consideration or adequate explanation of where these costs will be shifted to.  
That is not taking in consideration the social costs, the decline in productivity, and movement of citizens to disability for lack of medical treatment.
 These people on TennCare are human beings and I would shudder thinking of signing a document or voice approval of legislation that without question will have the effect of signing the death warrants for certainly hundreds and probably thousands of the valued citizens of this great state.  
 Earl Barnett, CPA
Speedwell, TN

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