Budget Amendment ID: FY2013-S4-546-R1

Redraft EHS 546

ACCESS TO SMOKING CESSATION BENEFITS

Messrs. Petruccelli, Richard T. Moore and Michael O. Moore and Ms. Chang-Diaz and Messrs. McGee and Brownsberger moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 56 the following section:-

“SECTION 56A. Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 17I the following section:-

Section 17J. The commission may provide to any active or retired employee of the commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission a smoking and tobacco use cessation treatment benefit. Smoking and tobacco use cessation treatment and information benefits shall include, but not be limited to, nicotine replacement therapy, other evidence-based pharmacologic aids to quitting smoking and accompanying counseling by a physician, certified tobacco use cessation counselor or other qualified clinician.”; and

by inserting after section 84 the following section:-

“SECTION X. Chapter 118H of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 7. Any policy of insurance for accident or sickness, or agreement for medical or health services, which shall be delivered or issued or renewed or certified through the Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program shall provide as a benefit to all individual subscribers and members within the commonwealth, for expenses of smoking and tobacco use cessation treatment. Smoking and tobacco use cessation treatment and information benefits shall include, but not be limited to, nicotine replacement therapy, other evidence-based pharmacologic aids to quitting smoking and accompanying counseling by a physician, certified tobacco use cessation counselor or other qualified clinician.”