Group seeks state funding of stop-smoking efforts
FRANKFORT, Ky. — A coalition of health advocates is calling on lawmakers to fund smoking cessation for Kentuckians who get care though Medicaid, the federal-state health plan for the poor and disabled.
Calling it “pennywise and pound foolish” not to offer such services in a state with one the nation’s highest rates of smoking. Amy Barkley, with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids called on lawmakers to put money into a 2007 bill that authorized a stop-smoking program for Medicaid but never funded it.
Advocates are asking lawmakers to provide $1.5 million in general funds in the next budget that would allow the state to draw an additional $3.5 in federal Medicaid funds for stop-smoking efforts. About 760,000 Kentuckians get health care through Medicaid.
Such services are currently available only through Passport Health Plan, a Medicaid managed care program for the Jefferson County region. It voluntarily provides stop-smoking services.
Tonya Chang, with the American Heart Association, said the administration of Gov. Steve Beshear supports smoking cessation for Medicaid clients but has said the tight budget hasn’t allowed it to provide the money in previous years.
Dr. John White, a Lexington pulmonary specialist and president of the Kentucky Medical Association, said his group believes it’s time for the state to find the money.
“As physicians, KMA members know the devastating effects of smoking,” he said.
Reporter Deborah Yetter can be reached at (502) 582-4228.
By Deborah Yetter • dyetter@courier-journal.com • October 21, 2009
