Learning Objectives: *Compare individual state characteristics for all 50 states with state Medicaid programs' coverage for tobacco dependence treatments during the last decade.
Abstract: ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explain the variation in state Medicaid programs’ adoption of policies that support the treatment of tobacco dependence based on state characteristics.
METHODS: State-level data was collected for all fifty states between 1992 and 2001. The database includes information on the problem of tobacco use in the Medicaid population, state tobacco control policies, and political influences within each state. This panel dataset (n=500) was used to examine the relationship between state characteristics and state Medicaid programs’ decisions to offer coverage for tobacco dependence treatments.
RESULTS: Rates of coverage for tobacco dependence treatments by state Medicaid programs have slowly grown over the last decade. As of 2001, 36 states (71%) reported offering coverage for at least one form of tobacco dependence treatment for the Medicaid population. State characteristics, including tobacco control policies and political influences within the state have played roles in Medicaid programs’ decisions to offer coverage for these cost-effective treatments.
DISCUSSION: With over 11 million smokers (36%) in Medicaid programs nationwide, reducing rates of tobacco use among Medicaid recipients would be a cost-effective way in which to decrease tobacco-related disease and therefore improve the health of people living in poverty. Policy makers have proposed legislation (S.854 and HR.1229) that would mandate coverage for tobacco dependence treatments under Medicaid. However, without an understanding of the state characteristics that impact the decision to offer these treatments such a mandate may be useless if state Medicaid programs are forced to provide these benefits but do not have a system in place which would support tobacco dependence treatment.
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