Finally, a Government Anti-Smoking Plan That Makes Sense

Finally, a Government Anti-Smoking Plan That Makes Sense

Smartest idea I've heard in a long time:

Smoking cessation products such as nicotine patches and gum will be paid for by Medicaid starting Jan. 1.

The Iowa council that oversees Medicaid, the Council on Human Services, voted today to cover certain drugs and products to help tobacco-addicted Medicaid members.

State officials expect just over 20,000 smokers will take advantage of the new coverage and use prescription bupropion, a generic Zyban, or over-the-counter nicotine patches and gum.

The average cost of treatment will be about $2.40 per user per day, or about $96 per year, said Nancy Freudenberg, an administrator with the Iowa Department of Human Services. The extra coverage will cost between $1.5 million and $2.2 million a year.

That'll pay for itself quickly. One catch: "Medicaid will pay for the therapy for only 12 weeks per year."

Here's an idea: exempt patches from sales tax?