News

Public Library of Science (PLoS) Journal Article

A new study published today in PLoS One (Public Library of Science One) shows that the number of Massachusetts smokers on Medicaid decreased by 26% in the first two and a half years after health reform was implemented in July 2006.  The Massachusetts law mandated tobacco cessation coverage for all Medicaid eligible adults.  Researchers from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Massachusetts Office of Medicaid collaborated on the study.  Read the article here.


National and local news coverage: smoking cessation benefit study

In November 2009, the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention program (MTCP) released a study showing a dramatic drop in smoking and related near-term health effects within 2 1/2 years of the implementaion of a comprehensive, barrier-free smoking cessation benefit through the Commonwealth's MassHealth program.  Read about the study here.

The study received a lot of attention.  We've gathered much of the coverage here:

• The New York Times: Massachusetts Antismoking Plan Gets Attention (12/17/2009)
• The Boston Globe: With aid, Mass. poor cut smoking (11/18/2009)
• NPR: Program Helps Low-Income Smokers Kick Habit(2/15/2010)
• New England Cable News: Mass. program to help quit smoking may take effect nationwide (12/17/2009)
• New England Cable News: Mass. poor cut smoking (11/18/2009)
• The Wall Street Journal: Health-Care Bill- Paying to Help the Poor to Quit Smoking (12/17/2009)
• The Philadeplhia Inquirer: Editorial- An investment to end smoking (12/28/2009)
• The Los Angeles Times: Snuffing out smoking (1/2/1010)
• Anchorage Daily News: Our view- This would cut costs (12/20/2009)
• The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Give workers tools to kick habit (11/24/2009)
• The Bay State Banner: MassHealth helps smokers quit, but cuts threaten program (11/26/2009)
• MassLive: Anti-smoking campaign in Mass. helps cut statewide rate 26% (1/4/2010)
• MassLive: Editorial- Health bill should stamp out smoking (12/18/2009)
• Oregon Live: Kicking away all those 'buts' (12/28/2009)
• The Day: Help snuff out the cigs (12/26/2009)
• The Syracuse Post-Standard: Medicaid and Smoking: One state extends benefits and is helping the poor kick the habit (12/20/2009)
• Join Together: Mass. Smoking Program for Poor Seen as Health Reform Model (12/21/2009)
• Crikey: Helping low income smokers to quit is a winning investment (12/21/2009)
• GazetteNet: In Our Opinion- Anti-smoking advance (12/19/2009)
• North Adams Transcript: Smoking Cessation Program Paying Off (12/2009)
• Totally Free Berkshires: Massachusetts Anti-Smoking Plan Success! (12/2009)
• 22 News: Program helps people quit smoking (11/19/2009)
• The Herald News: Great American Smokeout gives smokers reasons to quit (11/18/2009)
• Southcoast Today: GUEST VIEW- Stop-smoking coverage pays dividends (12/26/2009)
• The Beacon: Quit-smoking benefit reduces costly health problems (12/2009)
• The Berkshire Eagle: A blow against Smoking (11/19/2009)
• GazetteNet: Up In Smoke (11/19/2009)
• Sen Ben Downing: Spotlight On: The Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program (11/25/2009)
• A Su Salud (12/4/2009)
• Saude: Health (12/11/2009)

If you know of any coverage you think should be added, please send us a link.