New Illinois Law Meant to Help Smokers Kick Habit

August 31, 2011

A new Illinois law requires insurance companies to offer coverage for services meant to get smokers to kick the habit.

The American Lung Association in Illinois enthusiastically backs the law. It says the law could be a tremendous help to tens of thousands of tobacco users who want to quit smoking but can’t afford the services they need to make that happen.

A vice president at the state association, Kathy Drea, argues that getting smokers to quit not only improves the health of individuals: She says it reduces the several billion dollars that smoking-related diseases cost Illinois as a whole each year.

The smoking-cessation programs that insurance companies would be required to offer coverage on include various medical treatments and counseling by physicians.

Gov. Quinn signed the law on Aug. 29.

Topics Illinois

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Latest Comments

  • September 7, 2011 at 1:53 pm
    FFA says:
    Maybe they should just tax Cigs out of everyones budget? As a smoker, the $300 @ month I spend is a sore spot between me & the wife. I say we spend too much on cigs. She s... read more
  • September 6, 2011 at 2:22 pm
    DS says:
    Not all states allow Tobacco Use to be a factor in rating on individual health insurance. Example: Oregon does not, Washington does. However I thought Tobacco Cessation was al... read more
  • September 6, 2011 at 2:10 pm
    GregCW says:
    Oregon stopped allowing non-smoker rates several years ago. I think their rationale was that number of smokers is lower now than many years ago and that the actuarial basis f... read more

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