Tobacco users have higher quit rates in ACA Medicaid expansion states, according to a new study published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research and funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
To conduct the study, researchers identified tobacco users aged 19-64 using EHR data from 219 community health centers in 10 states that expanded Medicaid as of 2014. These patients were compared in a statistical analysis with tobacco users from 108 community health centers in 6 non-expansion states. The researchers measured patients' odds of quitting, ordering cessation medication and visiting community health centers within the post-expansion period. They found patients in expansion states had increased odds for all three measures.
The new study suggests continued coverage under Medicaid could help increase quit rates among high risk populations, since community health centers treat more tobacco users than other facilities.