WILDER HASN'T GIVEN UP YET ON MEDICAL TAX

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 15, 1992                   TAG: 9202150185
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short
WILDER HASN'T GIVEN UP YET ON MEDICAL TAX
One day after the House of Delegates sent his health tax bill back to committee, effectively killing the issue, Gov. Douglas Wilder was exploring ways Friday to revive the measure, his press secretary said.
If he cannot resurrect the $60 million health-provider tax, Wilder press secretary Glenn Davidson said, the governor may try to find a substitute.
"Options are being explored and discussed," Davidson said, but he declined to be more specific.
Wilder could find an appropriate bill and propose amendments before the end of the session on March 7.
Laurens Sartoris, president of the Virginia Hospital Association, agreed.
"We are pleased with the action taken by the General Assembly," Sartoris said. But he added, "I won't feel comfortable until March 7."
His group, which represents 120 hospitals, has been the most vocal opponent of the tax.
The House acted by voice vote, denying Wilder a roll-call vote, after a closed caucus of the 58 House Democrats.
Davidson said that even if Wilder loses in the General Assembly this year, he will continue efforts to tax the health-care industry.
"The battle may have been lost, but the war is not over," he said.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB