January 4, 2012   A Utah lawmaker has a message for smokers on Medicaid. If you want to use tobacco, go right ahead. But you’re going to pay — and with more than your health. Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, is sponsoring legislation that would impose higher co-payments for tobacco-using Utahns enrolled in the low-income health insurance program. The measure may be a first nationally though other states have, in recent years, passed laws requiring applicants for food stamps, cash assistance and Medicaid to undergo and pay for drug testing. The rationale: Taxpayer money shouldn’t support someone’s drug habit. Ray voices the same sentiment, saying, “I’m not trying to be mean to smokers. But people who are voluntarily putting their health at risk ought to pay more toward their health care.”

For More Information:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53223437-78/utah-health-medicaid-ray.html.csp