FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release #105-331

May 28, 1998

ROTH URGES SUPPORT FOR TAX CUT AMENDMENT TO TOBACCO BILL

Amendment Would Help 21 Million Americans Afford Health Insurance

WASHINGTON -- Senate Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr. (R-DE)

is urging his colleagues to support an amendment to the tobacco bill that

would make health insurance fully deductible for 21 million more working

Americans.

In a "Dear Colleague" letter co-signed by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Roth

announced his intention to offer an amendment to the tobacco bill that would

let all self-employed individuals and all employees who are not eligible for

employer subsidized health care fully deduct the premiums they pay for

health coverage.

"This amendment would help take some of the sting out of the tobacco tax

increase by making health insurance more affordable for 21 million Americans

-- many of the same Americans who will be adversely affected by an increase

in the price of cigarettes included in the tobacco legislation," Roth

stated.

A copy of the "Dear Colleague" letter is attached.

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