Georgia Medicaid doesn’t help smokers quit [The Augusta Chronicle, Ga.]
By Tom Corwin, The Augusta Chronicle, Ga. |
"You feel like you are free," she said. "It is such an addiction, your whole lifestyle changes because you are not trying to support the doggone habit."
Bailey used the Freshstart smoking cessation program offered through
"It gave me a good start anyway," she said. "It gave me an option for quitting."
It is not an option, however, for most people on Georgia Medicaid. Today is the Great American Smokeout, when smokers are urged to take the day to consider quitting or plan ahead and quit today.
One of the biggest populations that has expressed the most desire to quit is
But the Georgia DepartÂment of
"It's not true," she said. "Tobacco cessation treatment is reimbursed just like any other health care expense that
Keene sent another e-mail Wednesday saying that the Social Security Act of 1927 "restricts the use of tobacco cessation drugs under the
The department's e-mail goes on to say that "tobacco cessation success is directly related to the presence of both behavior modification therapy in addition to pharmacotherapy," which the department says would mean providing "intensive face-to-face" counseling that is "much more costly." State funding to cover both has not been provided, the department said. But Singleterry said she has never heard of the federal government not matching tobacco cessation spending by state
State
The lack of Georgia Medicaid coverage is an ongoing issue for health advocates, said
"We intend to encourage state officials to re-examine this issue," she said. "It just seems like a lost opportunity not to provide this benefit for the
On a bright note, the State Health Benefit Plan will be providing coverage next year of one prescription per year to help state workers quit smoking.
"It's not great but it's a start," Deen said.
As now a former smoker, Bailey said the important thing is to not stop trying.
"If you don't quit one time, try it again because it is the most rewarding feeling," she said.
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Wordcount: | 699 |
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