Lowering the smoking rate among Medicaid clients – 12/2/05

Q: Has your state successfully lowered the smoking rate among its Medicaid clients? If so, what model was used and how much money was dedicated toward this effort?

A:

1. Oregon: In the early 2000's Oregon did see a decrease in pregnant women on the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) who smoked. Efforts contributing to this decrease may be due in part to the Oregon Quit Line, Tobacco Prevention and Education Program efforts, the addition of smoking cessation to the OMAP Maternity Case Management rules, and more focus on pregnant women by the managed care plans and county health departments.
    
   In Oregon birth certificate data prior to 2000 indicated 26% of OHP pregnant women smoked. However, in 2000 the birth certificate data did show a decrease to 14%, and in 2001, it was down to 12.8%.

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