From Your Local Lung Association

Legislative highlights in the Midland States were:

Kentucky:

• The state’s Health and Welfare Committee unanimously passed a bill requiring all daycares to test for radon and prominently post the results; will be pre-filed this year likely pass the legislature.
• Working to pass a bill ensuring all Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Counseling be covered under insurance and Medicaid.

Michigan:

• The American Lung Association in Michigan has long been advocating for coverage of all forms of nicotine replacement therapy and all cessation medications, and this fiscal year, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services began this coverage for all Medicaid recipients in Michigan.
• On May 11, the American Lung Association in Michigan hosted a Turquoise Takeover of the statehouse in Lansing.  Legislators were provided with information on our Lung Force women’s lung cancer initiative and related policy priorities, and information was hand delivered to all leadership offices.

Ohio:

• Three more cities in Ohio—Cleveland, New Albany and Grandview Heights—passed Tobacco 21 laws to raise the legal age to sell tobacco to 21. These laws are important in reducing smoking among young adults and children and improving birth outcomes.
• On May 18, the American Lung Association in Ohio hosted a Lung Force Turquoise Takeover and legislative breakfast at the Statehouse. Over 100 legislators and aides found out about our Lung Force women’s lung cancer initiative and our related public policy initiatives.
• Following a campaign of legislative education and media advocacy by the American Lung Association and partners, the Governor and legislature significantly raised the amount dedicated for tobacco prevention and cessation in our state.

Tennessee:

• First year of campaign to make Tennessee pass an oral chemotherapy bill. Tennessee was a pilot state for the American Lung Association to work on this legislation. 
• Two bills passed that opened the door for preemption repeal. This allowed exemptions to pass ordinances to allow Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater and a Kingsport public aquatic center to go smokefree.