Quit attempts and intention to quit cigarette smoking among Medicaid recipients in the USA.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of Medicaid coverage of tobacco dependence treatments (TDT) on quitting attempts and intention to quit by Medicaid recipient smokers.


METHODS
Multiple cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Data from the national 1996-2007 Tobacco Use Supplements to the Current Population Survey in the USA were analysed (n=6585). Measures included self-reported quit attempts during the last 12 months, and serious intention to quit in the next 6 months and in the next 30 days.


RESULTS
In the baseline model, Medicaid coverage of TDT was associated with attempted quitting [odds ratio (OR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.45], intention to quit in the next 6 months (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09-1.59) and intention to quit in the next 30 days (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.01-1.58). After controlling for cigarette taxes and the antismoking sentiment index for each state, the magnitude became smaller and the association was only statistically significant for intention to quit in the next 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Covering smoking cessation aids and eliminating copayments with Medicaid can encourage more quitting attempts and facilitate intentions to quit.
Liu
F
F
School of Economics, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, 777 Guoding Road, Shanghai 200433, China.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003669:Deductibles and Coinsurance / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult