Dear Editor, I want to encourage all of Morgan Hill to join the
American Cancer Society in urging our Governor to sign Senate Bill
576 authored by Senator Deborah Ortiz, which would require that all
health plans and health insurers provide comprehensive smoking
cessation coverage.
Dear Editor,
I want to encourage all of Morgan Hill to join the American Cancer Society in urging our Governor to sign Senate Bill 576 authored by Senator Deborah Ortiz, which would require that all health plans and health insurers provide comprehensive smoking cessation coverage.
With his signature on SB 576, Governor Schwarzenegger can provide assistance to thousands of insured California smokers who need help quitting, reduce the medical and economic costs related to tobacco use, reduce health plan and employer costs, and most importantly, save lives.
There are about 4 million adult smokers in California. Seventy-five percent of them want to quit and over 60 percent try each year. Only about 5 percent are successful. Being addicted to nicotine is very similar to being addicted to heroin or cocaine.
I am an ex-smoker, I smoked for 30 years. I know how hard it is to quit. I know the everyday struggle, even after seven years. The cost for over the counter smoking cessation products is higher than the immediate cost of smoking. You can use these products over and over again and not stop. Sometimes it takes more (like counseling).
There is no good reason why health insurance and health plans should not help enrollees become nonsmokers, which will improve their health status and reduce their future health care needs and the health care needs of those around them.
PLEASE support SB 576- California should support tobacco quitters, it helps us all.
Email http://www.govmail.ca.gov, or Call 916-445-4341 and express your opinion.
Linda Roma, Morgan Hill
