GEORGIA STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 153
John Tibbets
Democrat
Democrat
Austin Scott
Republican
Republican
below to view candidate responses to each question.
TOBACCO 1
Will you support a $1.00 cigarette tax increase?
ANSWER: John Tibbets Democrat
Response provided by candidate
yes
Depending on the purpose of the tax, were it tied to certain medical funding and estimates forecast sufficient revenue to accomplish a purpose, yes, I would support raising the tax. I would not necessarily support raising the tax merely as another revenue source for the general fund.
ANSWER: Austin Scott Republican
Response provided by candidate
no
I will consider changes, but will not promise to raise tax by $1.00 per pack.
ANSWER: ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network supports increasing the cigarette tax by a $1 in GA. Increasing the price of tobacco products, specifically by raising tobacco taxes, is a proven method of preventing kids from starting to smoke and encouraging current smokers to quit or cut back. The average state tax on a pack of cigarettes is $1.18 with Georgia ranked 43rd in the Nation.
Response provided by candidate
yes
Depending on the purpose of the tax, were it tied to certain medical funding and estimates forecast sufficient revenue to accomplish a purpose, yes, I would support raising the tax. I would not necessarily support raising the tax merely as another revenue source for the general fund.
ANSWER: Austin Scott Republican
Response provided by candidate
no
I will consider changes, but will not promise to raise tax by $1.00 per pack.
ANSWER: ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network supports increasing the cigarette tax by a $1 in GA. Increasing the price of tobacco products, specifically by raising tobacco taxes, is a proven method of preventing kids from starting to smoke and encouraging current smokers to quit or cut back. The average state tax on a pack of cigarettes is $1.18 with Georgia ranked 43rd in the Nation.
TOBACCO 2
Will you support Medicaid funding to provide tobacco cessation counseling and medication?
ANSWER: John Tibbets Democrat
Response provided by candidate
yes
Health care issues for the poor are critical. I believe anything we can do to improve the long-term health status of Medicaid recipients is worthwhile.
ANSWER: Austin Scott Republican
Response provided by candidate
yes
ANSWER: ACS CAN
Tobacco cessation services rank second only to childhood immunizations as the most clinically cost-effective prevention treatment available. Medicaid recipients have a smoking rate more than 50 percent greater than the rest of the U.S. population. Access to coverage for cessation medications and counseling services, including over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies, will increase the number of Medicaid recipients who are likely to quit smoking.
Response provided by candidate
yes
Health care issues for the poor are critical. I believe anything we can do to improve the long-term health status of Medicaid recipients is worthwhile.
ANSWER: Austin Scott Republican
Response provided by candidate
yes
ANSWER: ACS CAN
Tobacco cessation services rank second only to childhood immunizations as the most clinically cost-effective prevention treatment available. Medicaid recipients have a smoking rate more than 50 percent greater than the rest of the U.S. population. Access to coverage for cessation medications and counseling services, including over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies, will increase the number of Medicaid recipients who are likely to quit smoking.
ACCESS TO CARE 1
Will you support increasing the funding/adding state funding for the state breast and cervical cancer screening program, BreasTest and More, that gives free screening and diagnostic services to low-income uninsured women and provides a pathway to Medicaid coverage for those women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer?
ANSWER: John Tibbets Democrat
Response provided by candidate
yes
Preventive care options are extremely important to reducing overall medical costs, especially to Medicaid and uninsured patients. Why wouldn�t we want to do all we can to ensure early detection of cancer? Treatment options are more numerous and the overall costs of treatment are less if cancer is detected and treated early.
ANSWER: Austin Scott Republican
Response provided by candidate
yes
ANSWER: ACS CAN
Increased state and federal funding for the breast and cervical cancer screening program will provide medically underserved women access to screening that catch cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages. More state funding will save more lives of women in Georgia. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network supports funding/adding state funding for state breast and cervical cancer screening program, BreasTest and More, to help ensure that all eligible women receive these lifesaving services.
Response provided by candidate
yes
Preventive care options are extremely important to reducing overall medical costs, especially to Medicaid and uninsured patients. Why wouldn�t we want to do all we can to ensure early detection of cancer? Treatment options are more numerous and the overall costs of treatment are less if cancer is detected and treated early.
ANSWER: Austin Scott Republican
Response provided by candidate
yes
ANSWER: ACS CAN
Increased state and federal funding for the breast and cervical cancer screening program will provide medically underserved women access to screening that catch cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages. More state funding will save more lives of women in Georgia. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network supports funding/adding state funding for state breast and cervical cancer screening program, BreasTest and More, to help ensure that all eligible women receive these lifesaving services.
ACCESS TO CARE 2
Will you support funding for a state colorectal cancer screening program that (1) provides free screening and diagnostic services to low-income uninsured persons and (2) provides sufficient funding for treatment for those persons diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
ANSWER: John Tibbets Democrat
Response provided by candidate
yes
As with early detection of breast cancer, if we can screen for colorectal cancer and treat those with the disease, we will ultimately reduce medical costs than if early detection does not occur. One�s monetary status should not remove options for early detection and treatment. In the end the costs are much greater if detection does not occur.
ANSWER: Austin Scott Republican
Response provided by candidate
yes
ANSWER: ACS CAN
Colon cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented through screening and early detection. Enacting laws that provide coverage for colon cancer screening is one important step that lawmakers can take to reduce the number of people in Georgia who die needlessly each year from colon cancer.
Response provided by candidate
yes
As with early detection of breast cancer, if we can screen for colorectal cancer and treat those with the disease, we will ultimately reduce medical costs than if early detection does not occur. One�s monetary status should not remove options for early detection and treatment. In the end the costs are much greater if detection does not occur.
ANSWER: Austin Scott Republican
Response provided by candidate
yes
ANSWER: ACS CAN
Colon cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented through screening and early detection. Enacting laws that provide coverage for colon cancer screening is one important step that lawmakers can take to reduce the number of people in Georgia who die needlessly each year from colon cancer.
