The state House last night rescued a bill that allows the University of Hawai'i to use some of the state's tobacco settlement money to help operate its medical school, just two days after lawmakers voted against the idea.

House lawmakers spent nearly two hours in private caucus debating the decision, which came at second crossover, the deadline to exchange bills between the House and Senate before conference negotiations.

The bill would allow the UH John A. Burns School of Medicine to use its share of the state's tobacco settlement fund money for operating expenses after it pays debt service. UH now uses the settlement money only for debt service.

The state Department of Health and the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai'i opposed the bill. But UH, and several lawmakers, believe the money would benefit the medical school.

"Initially, we left the body to make the decision on its own," explained state House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa). "But in the end, after further reflection and people looking at it and understanding the issue, and understanding there was no vehicle to take to conference, people wanted to reconsider their vote."

Some House lawmakers said UH has not lived up to promises to raise private money for the medical school. UH is also expected to get additional money from higher tobacco taxes to fund cancer research at the complex.

"There is no need for apologies and there is no need for regrets," state Rep. K. Mark Takai, D-34th (Newtown, Waiau, Pearl City), told lawmakers who were changing their votes.

Other lawmakers said the decision to reconsider was troublesome because it sends a message that votes can be undone through political pressure. "That's the danger in reconsidering," said state Rep. Sylvia Luke, D-26th (Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl). "It gives special interests the time to lobby."

State Sen. Rosalyn Baker, D-5th (W. Maui, S. Maui), who had been disappointed by Tuesday's vote against the bill, said last night she was happy it was reconsidered.

"We need a very vibrant and thriving med school in order to help us train more of our own doctors so that we don't have to recruit so many from the Mainland," Baker said.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.