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A State Antismoking Policy Receives Nationwide Attention

Published on December 21, 2009 8:22 AM

Three years ago, Massachusetts Department of Public Help introduced a groundbreaking legislation under which low-income residents began receiving literary free assistance in order to give up smoking. The authors of the legislation believed that some day the amended Medicaid program would bring public health benefits.

However, they never thought their hope would come true so soon.

The Latest statewide statistics demonstrates a significant reduction in the smoking rate among adult low-income Massachusetts residents. When the plan was launched in 2006, more than 35 percent of low-income population was lighting up on a regular basis. Two years later, in 2008, the rate reduced to nearly 28 percent, or around 30,000 people, according to the data of Massachusetts Smoking Prevention and Cessation Program.

Although the numbers have not been thoroughly examined yet, they already got considerable attention from anti-smoking organizations and public health authorities. Even several senators are making use of the numbers to call the state legislatures to include similar measures in health care legislation.

Vermont, Illinois and Iowa Senators already introduced amendments to expand Medicaid program to cover assistance for poor residents willing to quit smoking.

Senator Tom Harkin, chief sponsor of the corresponding bill in Iowa, declared he would do his best to convince the legislators to approve the measure, because the numbers showed that such comprehensive help to low-income smokers has been the most efficient strategy to contribute to a drop in smoking rates across the state and cut expenses on treating smoking-related diseases.

The cessation program, part of Massachusetts groundbreaking public health care legislation funds nearly all the expenses on consultations and cessation therapies for the Medicaid recipients attempting to give up smoking. The majority of US states do not give nearly as much assistance for low-income smokers.

The smoking rate of among adults enrolled in Medicaid programs had not decreased within ten years before the plan was launched. The percentage of smokers among Medicaid enrollees was much higher than the nationwide rate which is currently at a just over 20 percent.

In conformity with the present Senate public health care bill, only pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid could receive help, including counseling and treatment.

The bill approved by the House in November would cover more Medicaid recipients willing to give up smoking, and public health groups are pushing the Senate to adopt that measure.

In accordance with the Massachusetts measure, low-income Medicaid enrollees between 18-64 years could take up 16 consultations and 180 days of cessation therapies, including Chantix and other drugs.

The statewide cost of such program is nearly $6.5 million per year.

Medicaid coverage for residents with higher income stipulates less pre-paid antismoking programs, or none at all, as state officials consider this justifiable.

Massachusetts experts also examined the smoking rate among uninsured low-income residents, during the same period and have not found any changes.

In conformity with Center for Disease Control, Massachusetts is one of six states, which provide thorough smoking cessation assistance for low-income residents on Medicaid. Other states include Pennsylvania, Indiana, Nevada, Minnesota and Oregon.

A State Antismoking Policy Receives Nationwide Attention

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