SC: The Butt of Another Joke

A new report ranks the states in their efforts to fund smoking prevention programs using the money from the gigantor tobacco settlement.  Out of the 50 states, South Carolina is ranked 51st.  *Shakes fist at pesky District of Columbia*

So to what do we owe the honor?  A little history:

The tobacco settlement was reached a decade ago so states could recoup some of costs of treating smoking-related illnesses, with total payments estimated at $246 billion over the first 25 years, according to the report. South Carolina has gotten $912 million in settlement funds so far.

The settlement proceeds were split into four trust funds, one of which was to be spent on health concerns. In 2003, lawmakers withdrew $100 million from the health fund to help offset a budget deficit then, according to the report, and to help with Medicaid. The other funds were designated for economic development, aid for tobacco farmers and water and sewer projects.  [emphasis added]

OK well let's not dwell on the past.  What does Fiscal Year 2009 look like for SC?

For FY2009, South Carolina will receive $1.0 million in federal funds for tobacco prevention and cessation. The state Legislature allocated no funds for tobacco prevention programs for FY09.

Oh.  And:

No tobacco settlement funds have been dedicated to tobacco prevention since 2003.

Well at least we're consistent!  So we got that goin' for us.

Bottom line:  SC will receive $114 million dollars in FY2009 from tobacco settlement payments and our measly cigarette taxes (7 cents a pack - Dang, 51st again).  Of that, we're spending $0 on smoking prevention programs.  But we will pay over $1 billion in smoking related health care costs.  I hate to invoke the Chewbacca Defense but:  That does not make sense.  As someone who lacks health insurance due to the outrageous cost of premiums in SC, I'm jes wondering:  can I get a bailout over here?  

The SC Legislature needs to get their act together pronto.  If they don't, I am considering driving them to Nebraska and dropping them off at a hospital.  Because they certainly won't find any safe haven in my voting booth come election time.