An Act To Reduce Tobacco-related Illness and Lower Health Care Costs in MaineCare

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and in Maine; and

Whereas,  in the United States, an estimated 443,000 deaths occur annually that are attributable to smoking, including nearly 161,000 deaths from cancer, 128,000 from cardiovascular diseases and 103,000 from respiratory diseases; and

Whereas,  smoking costs Maine approximately $602,000,000 each year in direct medical costs and $534,000,000 from productivity losses due to premature death, including 10.6% of MaineCare expenditures, which is equivalent to $216,000,000, attributed to tobacco use; and

Whereas,  MaineCare members are almost 2 1/2 times more likely to smoke than the non-MaineCare adult population, yet are more likely to have a desire to quit tobacco use; and

Whereas,  tobacco cessation is one of the most effective clinical preventive services, with clinical evidence that shows that smoking cessation interventions, including brief behavioral counseling sessions and pharmacotherapy delivered in primary care settings, are effective in increasing the proportion of smokers who successfully quit and remain abstinent for one year and that the combination of counseling and medication is more effective for smoking cessation than either medication or counseling alone. The United States Preventive Services Task Force found convincing evidence that smoking cessation decreases the risk for heart disease, stroke and lung disease. Tobacco cessation at any point during pregnancy yields substantial health benefits for the expectant mother and baby; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §3174-WW  is enacted to read:

§ 3174-WW.  Tobacco cessation

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This bill requires the provision of tobacco cessation treatment for MaineCare members who are 18 years of age or older or are pregnant. It provides for comprehensive evidence-based coverage in accordance with the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the United States Public Health Service clinical practice guideline on treating tobacco use and dependence. The bill requires coverage without copayments or other cost sharing and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to pursue opportunities for federal reimbursement of the cost of coverage.