Senators are debating plans to raise the cigarette tax.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman of Florence says a 53 cents-a-pack increase is needed to make sure children, the disabled and elderly do not lose health care services under Medicaid.

Leatherman says without additional revenue, 66,000 people would lose coverage under the state's SilverCard program. He says 6,000 people would lose their nursing home care.

The tax increase would raise about 171 million dollars for
the state's Medicaid programs. 

The Senate wrapped up debate on the state's budget Wednesday night without providing the 326 million dollars Democrats wanted to meet minimum formula funding for schools or enough money to maintain Medicaid programs.

Senators are expected to spend most of the day debating a bill
that could address those issues with cigarette or sales tax
increases tied to tax reductions.