WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, applauded Colorado’s performance in a new American Lung Association report, Helping Smokers Quit: State Cessation Coverage, released yesterday. Colorado is a leader in requiring all basic employer health plans to cover preventive services.

“This timely report by the American Lung Association provides a blueprint for how to save lives by helping people quit tobacco—the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.,” said DeGette. “Tobacco cessation treatments are highly cost-effective, but many motivated individuals who are struggling to quit cannot get access to them.  I applaud Colorado for its leadership on tobacco cessation. We are one of just eight states that require all basic employer health plans to cover preventive services, including cessation services.”

Rep. DeGette introduced legislation during the 110th Congress, the Quit Smoking for Life Act of 2008, that would save lives by providing coverage for tobacco cessation treatments under our nation’s major public health insurance programs, Medicare and Medicaid.

“The Federal Government should be supporting state efforts by covering tobacco cessation treatment under our public health insurance programs. And that is my goal with the legislation I have introduced and will continue to move forward in the next Congress,” concluded DeGette.

The American Lung Association report assesses what the states are currently doing to help smokers quit.

ALA Smoking Report ( 11/14/08 08:40 AM PST )