Hobson Renews Call for Cancer Center Funded with Increase in Cigarette Taxes

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson called again Thursday morning for Oklahoma to create its own regional cancer treatment center.

“It’s time for Oklahoma to make the most of our talented medical professionals and to serve our citizens with a center devoted to cancer treatment and research,” said Hobson, D-Lexington.

Hobson’s comments came following the return to the floor of the Oklahoma Senate of Senator Johnnie Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, who underwent surgery for colon cancer at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center Monday. Using laser surgery technology doctors removed the cancerous cells in a non-invasive procedure that allowed the senator to return to work just three days after his surgery.

“We have extremely skilled physicians and nurses who have the abilities necessary for Oklahoma to be a leader in the fight to cure cancer. It’s time we give them the resources they need – in the form of a dedicated cancer center – to advance cancer treatment and research in our state,” Hobson said.

Too many Oklahomans are forced to seek cancer treatment and surgery at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and other centers hundreds of miles from their homes, the senator said.

Hobson first called for creation of a cancer center in January in his acceptance speech after having been elected to lead the Senate during the 49th Oklahoma Legislature.

Last year, the Senate lost one of its most beloved members, Senator Larry Dickerson, D-Poteau, after a two-decade battle with cancer just weeks after learning that Senator Keith Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, had been diagnosed with cancer.

Leftwich underwent treatment last year and was given a clean bill of health only to have doctors tell him earlier this year that his cancer had reoccurred.

“We’ve seen the grave reality of cancer hit home in our own chamber. It’s time for us to take a lead role in seeking to eliminate this dreaded disease,” Hobson said.

The Senate President Pro Tempore said he favors using a portion of the revenues from an increase in the state’s tax on cigarettes to fund creation of the center. Oklahoma’s cigarette tax is currently 23 cents per pack, 14th lowest in the nation.

Revenue produced by an increase in cigarette taxes could also be used to “shore up” the state’s Medicaid program, the senator said.

“Some surrounding states have passed or are considering dramatic increases in their cigarette taxes this year and approximately 20 states did so last year. I would hope that in conjunction with a compact with the tribes, we could begin a conversation about increasing our cigarette taxes,” Hobson said.

Native American tribes are not required to collect taxes on cigarette sales in tribal smoke shops and would, thus, could have a competitive edge over non-tribal stores if the state increased its cigarette taxes without first coming to an agreement with the tribes.

Louisiana was among the states that increased its cigarette taxes last year, devoting a portion of the proceeds to increasing funding for coordinated cancer treatment and research at the Tulane Health Sciences Center and Louisiana State University-New Orleans Health Center. Louisiana’s goal is to create a National Cancer Institute designated Cancer Center in the state.

There are currently 61 designated centers in the country. The nearest comprehensive centers are in Houston and Denver. The nearest clinical centers are located in St. Louis, San Antonio, Memphis and Omaha. There are no NCI-designated centers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas or New Mexico.

Hobson said Oklahoma would be an ideal site to fill the geographic void in the NCI network.