Helping Tobacco Users Quit Act

This bill makes Medicaid and CHIP cover full quit‑smoking help. It requires plans to pay for counseling, doctor‑supervised treatment, and quit‑smoking medicines, including both prescription and over‑the‑counter options. These services must follow national guidelines like the U.S. Public Health Service recommendations or the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. People will not have to pay copays or other cost sharing for these services and related drugs. For the first five years, the federal government pays 90% of the cost to help states offer this coverage and run outreach campaigns so people and clinicians know these benefits exist . States also cannot require prior authorization for quit‑smoking medicines under Medicaid or CHIP, making it easier to get help quickly . These changes start on the first day of the first fiscal year after the bill becomes law, and nothing in it limits coverage for people under 18 .

• States must track and promote use of these services and run outreach to eligible individuals and clinicians; these outreach costs also get a 90% federal match for five years .

Key points

• Who is affected: People on Medicaid and CHIP who use tobacco; clinicians who provide care; state Medicaid/CHIP programs .
• What changes: Free counseling and quit‑smoking medicines (including OTC); no prior authorization; state outreach and monitoring; coverage follows national guidelines .
• When: Starts the first fiscal year after enactment; enhanced 90% federal funding for five years for services and outreach; protections for minors are preserved .