Advocates Thank Governor Bevin For Signing Tobacco Cessation Coverage Bill
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Senate Bill 89 was signed into law by Gov. Matt Bevin on Tuesday after passing the General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Julie Raque Adams, provides Kentuckians on all health plans with barrier-free access to the smoking cessation treatments recommended by the United States Preventative Services Task Force. The Kentucky House of Representatives voted 90 to 1 in favor of the bill, and it passed out of the Kentucky Senate with a 35 to 2 vote.
The American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and the Kentucky Medical Association released the following statement:
“Patient advocates and providers across Kentucky thank Gov. Matt Bevin, Sen. Julie Raque Adams and the General Assembly for taking this critical step toward addressing our state’s smoking problem. Senate Bill 89 gives Kentuckians true access to the tobacco cessation treatments they need to quit successfully, saving lives and taxpayer dollars. We encourage tobacco users throughout the Commonwealth to discuss treatment options with their physicians.”
Supporters of Senate Bill 89 include: the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Kentucky Public Health Association, Kentucky Medical Association, Kentucky Youth Advocates, Baptist Health, Kentucky Psychological Association, Colon Cancer Prevention Project, Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives, Cancer Support Community, Kentucky Voices for Health, Kentucky Academy of Family Physicians, KentuckyOne Health, Kentucky Health Departments Association and Kentucky Dental Association.
