Bill seeks surcharge for Utah smokers on Medicaid

(USA TODAY) — If private health insurers can add a surcharge for smokers, why not Medicaid?

That’s the argument behind a bill Utah Republican Rep. Paul Ray has proposed that could become a first-in-the-nation state law imposing a higher co-payment for tobacco-using residents enrolled in Medicaid.

Although Medicaid recipients in Utah do not pay premiums, some are required to pay up to $5 co-payments for prescriptions or doctor visits.