PORTLAND - A proposed initiative to raise the state cigarette tax to pay for Oregon children's' health insurance is in the ashtray, but other health-related initiatives still could get on the November ballot.

Backers of a 60-cent-a-pack increase in state cigarette taxes, to $1.78 per pack, said they realized they could not get the required 75,360 valid petition signatures by the July 7 deadline. A similar measure died in the last Legislature, as did a proposal to expand the Oregon Prescription Drug Program and some other health measures.

Voters still could decide on the drug program, plus proposals mandating the right to affordable health care for all Oregonians and setting minimum staffing levels for nursing homes.

“It was difficult to get money for health care out of the last Legislature,” said Maribeth Healey, a health care advocate with Oregonians for Health Security.

She said if some proposals don't make it they would at least provide direction to the 2007 session.

The broadest bill amends the state Constitution to declare affordable health care a right of all Oregonians and directs the Legislature to develop a plan for expanding coverage by July 1, 2009.

The proposal does not provide funding, and Healey said the cost could vary depending on the plan.

Initiative co-sponsor Rep. Mitch Greenlick, D-Portland, said there already is health care money available but unused.

The $160 million expected from the cigarette tax proposal, he said, would have turned into about $500 million through federal matching.

And he said employers who provide health coverage now pay about $1,200 a year per employee for emergency room fees and other costs incurred by the 615,000 Oregonians who lack coverage.

He said there is a good chance the measure can get the 100,840 valid signatures needed.

Plans include sending out tens of thousands of mail-in initiative petitions to individuals in the final weeks.

Backers have said the Legislature could do it with no tax hikes partly through unused federal matching funds.

Another proposal would expand eligibility for the Oregon Prescription Drug Program, opening eligibility to some 800,000 people.

By purchasing medicines in bulk, Oregon can get better prices.

As of now the cheaper drugs are available to Oregonians over age 54 whose income is below 185 percent of federal poverty levels and who have not had private coverage for the past six months.

It also is available to some public employees. Program administrators describe savings as in the 35 percent range.

The measure would extend coverage to all Oregonians with no coverage beyond Medicare. It does not provide funding.

A proposal opposed by the nursing home industry requires the state to set a maximum number of patients per nursing assistant per shift in nursing homes.

It does not apply to adult foster homes, residential care and assisted living facilities or facilities operated by or physically connected to hospitals.

The three proposals have had little open opposition so far although opponents typically save their energies for when the measures get on the ballot. The tobacco industry worked hard against the proposed tax increase, objecting to the ballot wording thus limiting the time backers had to gather signatures.

Healey said based on signatures gathered so far the nursing home and drug coverage measures stand a good chance of qualifying.