Legislative Updates
MISSOURI
Funding for Smoking Cessation: The General Assembly approved funding for smoking cessation pharmaceuticals and services for the MO HealthNet Program (Medicaid participants). The state funding and drawdown of federal funds is $8.3 million. Governor Nixon approved this funding to begin July 1, 2010.
Care of Tuberculosis Patients: The Missouri Rehabilitation Center directed by the University of Missouri, under order and appropriation of the General Assembly, is no longer required to provide treatment for persons with tuberculosis. The Department of Health & Senior Services must provide treatment to tuberculosis patients at the center.
State Funding for Tobacco Control: The General Assembly did not appropriate funding to the Department of Health for tobacco control efforts. Funding for state enforcement agents of tobacco control laws was eliminated from the budget, leaving all enforcement at the local government level.
The state Department of Health & Senior Services did receive federal ARRA funding for a comprehensive statewide smokefree air policy in the amount of $304,000 from February 2010 to December 2012. The Missouri Quitline received an additional $1.15 million from federal ARRA funding.
Regional Community Activity:
Cape Girardeau: ANR training on June 23rd. Chamber of Commerce will remain neutral. Advocates are looking for opportunities to build momentum.
Fulton: A smokefree ordinance was voted by council for November ballot and removed by the mayor.
Hannibal: Local coalition working with the city council, but experiencing a lot of resistance.
Jefferson City: A smokefree ordinance will be on the November ballot.
Joplin, Carthage and Webb City: Local coalition is looking to move forward with introducing an ordinance in August or September.
Maryville: Local coalition has gathered 1200+ signatures, but still need almost 600 more signatures to go to the ballot. They are asking the city council to vote the ordinance into law and avoid a November ballot.
Rolla: City council is dragging feet. In recent election, two supporters voted off council and two new non-supporters are in. As a Class 4 City, they cannot bring to referendum. The ordinance was watered down so far by the time it got to council that the coalition killed it. Mayor will try to send it back to the city to vote, even if nonbinding.
Saint Charles: Several council members too worried to take action right now. Local officials working on finding a way forward, but it is looking like it would be placed on the April ballot.
St. Louis County: The County received $7.6 million in federal ARRA funding to battle tobacco use across the region. ALA will partner with the County to participate in smoking cessation efforts and youth prevention efforts.
Springfield: A smokefree ordinance is being championed by the Mayor and has strong support in the city council. First reading on June 28th and a vote is expected as early as July 12th.
Warrensburg: Smokefree ordinance (workplaces, restaurants, and bars) goes into effect November 1st.
If you have any questions about the issues above or would like to get involved, please email Kathi Harness at .
NEBRASKA
Policy guidelines for management of students and children with life-threatening allergies were defeated on January 11. Senators cited a one-time cost of $46,000 as the cause.
The Nebraska Medical Association’s effort to bring health care reform to the state, through access to care, prevention and other principles was indefinitely postponed pending the outcome of national health care reform.
KANSAS
- HB 2221, the Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act, is the main piece of legislation the ALA in Kansas will be focused on for the 2010 session. It is a bill that requires all public places, including bars and restaurants to be smokefree, it exempts private clubs and casinos. The bill has passed the State Senate and we are hopeful it will pass the House in 2010. Click here to ask your legislature to vote “yes” on this issue.
- Topeka just recently passed a comprehensive smokefree ordinance. The ordinance exempts 20% of hotel and motel rooms and tobacco shops. The local coalition and advocates have been working hard during 2009 for a citywide smokefree policy and their work has finally paid off. Topeka was the last major city in Kansas to pass a smokefree ordinance. This was a huge victory as we move forward on the statewide level for passage of the Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act. Opponents of the ordinance are filing a petition initiative in order to weaken the ordinance.
- The ALA and KU Head Basketball Coach Bill Self have partnered to educate Kansans about the dangers of tobacco and secondhand smoke. He has recorded two radio spots which will run during each of the basketball games. The spots will address the importance of smokefree public spaces and the youth tobacco prevention.
To join the Kansas Advocacy Network and help with the fight for air please visit: http://lungaction.org/ala_ks_advocate/join.html.
