Gov. Sonny Perdue laid out his case for balancing the budget with cuts and no general tax increases beyond a 1.6 percent levy on the revenues of hospitals and health plans and a higher fee on the worst highway speeders.

While hospitals have their supporters in the General Assembly, the main objection from legislators stems from a philosophical disposition opposed to any tax increase, opting for spending cuts instead. The pain will be felt by patients and policyholders, they say, not by companies and hospitals that pass along their costs.

Source: Savannah Morning News