GHCC opposes hospital tax; endorses cigarette tax hike

GAINESVILLE - A Gainesville business group is taking a stand on two of the tax proposals before the Georgia General Assembly.

The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce has endorsed a $1-a-pack cigarette tax increase while opposing a tax on hospital revenues and the removal of hospital sales tax exemptions.

The chamber notes that the cigarette tax increase is projected to raise $350 million in new revenues "while decreasing teenage smoking and bringing down healthcare cost to our citizens."

Of the hospital revenue-generating proposals, the chamber says it "opposes any new hospital or 'sick tax' or the removal of any sales tax exemptions on community hospitals."

"Our local health system (hospital, physicians, and other healthcare providers)," the chamber goes on to say, "is one of our region's largest employers and economic engines. Furthermore, the system provides millions annually in indigent and uncompensated care to our community."

The hospital tax, however, is continuing to work its way through the state Legislature.