Join/Donate 2012
Dear MATCH Members, Partners, Supporters and Friends:
A great deal has been happening at the MATCH Coalition this year. First, Connecticut is now providing comprehensive tobacco cessation coverage for all Medicaid recipients effective January 1, 2012. This is a great victory that we have fought for seven years. Thanks to all the efforts of our partners and support from Governor Malloy, our Medicaid recipients who smoke will have the tools and support to help them live a healthier life. It is estimated that within five years of offering a comprehensive smoking cessation program to Medicaid beneficiaries the state will save $91 million annually in smoking related health care costs.
As part of a grant from the Department of Public Health and the Centers for Diseases Control, MATCH created a statewide public education and awareness campaign regarding the hazards of secondhand smoke, including the benefits of adopting and strengthening smoke-free and anti-tobacco, restrictive advertising policies. A major initiative of the “The Live Smoke Free At Work, Home and Play” campaign is smoke-free housing. In CT public housing facilities provide housing for about 30,000 households. Through the efforts of MATCH staff working with CT-NAHRO, over 3,400 units now have smoke free policies in place. We have created a tool-kit for landlords to go smoke-free and information for tenants to know their options.
Funding from Pfizer and the DPH grant has helped us to redo the MATCH website. Being able to enhance communication with our members, grassroots constituents and the public is critical to moving the tobacco prevention and control agenda. Visit us at www.matchcoalition.com to learn more about the campaign, what MATCH is doing and how you can get involved. We have also initiated a Constant Contact newsletter to stay in touch. If you are interested in being added to the list, please contact us at matchcoalitionct@gmail.com.
MATCH and its partners continue to work on legislative and regulatory issues that affect tobacco and other chronic disease areas. We will continue to strive for expanded insurance coverage for cessation and prohibiting smoking in all workplaces in Connecticut, as well as voluntary policies that reduce the initiation and use of tobacco products and the harm associated with them.
Our collaboration with traditional and many new partners give us a strong voice at the legislature and in the community. We hope to continue to build on that strong collaboration in the coming year with all of you. Enclosed please find the dues schedule for the coming year. We hope that our members will continue to support MATCH and that many of our new partners and friends will consider joining us as well.
Sincerely,
Patricia J. Checko, Dr.P.H.
Chairman
Click here to download our Membership Form and Dues Schedule
Thank You for Supporting the MATCH Coalition!!!