Business, Health Care Leaders Call on Texas Employers to Cover Smoking Cessation Benefits for an Additional 100,000 Peop...( AUSTIN Texas June 25 /- Leading busin...),Health

AUSTIN, Texas, June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading business and health care organizations gathered at the State Capitol today to launch the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness' "Call for Coverage and Treatment" campaign, urging Texas-based businesses to provide employees with comprehensive smoking cessation benefits. The goal is to increase the number of Texas workers with comprehensive smoking cessation coverage by an additional 100,000 within the next year.

"Our Call for Coverage and Treatment is focused on improving the health of the Texas workforce and encouraging smart investments in employee health care benefits that can pay real dividends, both in lives saved and hard dollar costs," said Bill Hammond, president of the Texas Association of Business and director of the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness.

The coalition's Call for Coverage and Treatment initiative encourages businesses to adopt programs or benefits based on CDC-recommended guidelines. The Call for Coverage and Treatment initiative not only asks employers to provide comprehensive smoking cessation coverage, but also actively promote the availability amongst their employees. Comprehensive smoking cessation coverage programs would include:

• At least four, 30 minute counseling sessions;
• Coverage for all FDA-approved prescription treatments and over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies; and
• Counseling and medication for at least two smoking cessation attempts per year - all with low or no co-pays or deductibles.

To assist their efforts, companies may obtain toolkits on how to build a smoking cessation program or benefits, as well as promotional posters, by visiting www.txworksitewellness.org. Physicians will also find toolkit resources on the Web site
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