CHICAGO (AP) — 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 Monday.
Copyright
2011 The Associated Press.
