Alaska lawmakers held a meeting last week to review legislation that would increase behavioral healthcare parity for Medicaid-covered services. House Concurrent Resolution 9 and House Bill 361, both sponsored by Rep. Mike Prax (R-North Pole), seek parity in coverage of benefits for Medicaid mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatments in Alaska. Riley Nye, … Read more
Senators discussed mental health and substance abuse challenges during a joint meeting between the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addiction and the Select Committee on California’s Mental Health last week. They noted that making progress on addressing these issues cannot be done without a strong healthcare workforce. Dr. Janet Coffman, co-associate director at the … Read more
At the 2024 Hawaii State of Reform Health Policy Conference, health leaders met to discuss the state of the substance use crisis and how they’re ensuring every Hawaiian who needs services can receive them. Heather Lusk, executive director of Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, said research is showing a growing effectiveness of harm reduction … Read more
At the 2023 Minnesota State of Reform Health Policy Conference last month, leaders discussed the progress the state has made in increasing access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Speakers focused on the utilization of technology and funding streams. Jeremy Drucker, state director of addiction and recovery, said when addressing SUD it’s important to look … Read more
Maricopa County recently announced 12 local organizations that will receive about $2 million of its $80 million in national opioid settlement funds that were negotiated between states, Tribal nations, and opioid distributors and manufacturers. Arizona is expected to receive $542 million over 18 years. One of Maricopa County’s awardees include Live and Learn Arizona, a … Read more
The ongoing opioid crisis has led to more Californian state officials and healthcare leaders promoting MAT, or medication assisted treatment. While research has shown that MAT increases positive outcomes for those living with substance use disorder (SUD), it comes with its own barriers. MAT combines the use of medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to … Read more
Last month, California’s Department of Health Care Services announced the availability of over $41 million in funding available to community-based and tribal organizations to widen youth substance use prevention services. Organizations have until August 28th to submit applications of up to $1 million to implement the Elevate Youth Program. The goal of the Elevate Youth … Read more
After receiving a special delivery in February, the McAlister South Bay Regional Recovery Center in Chula Vista uncovered the county’s first naloxone vending machine. The naloxone vending machine, which went active on March 2nd, is part of San Diego County’s larger effort to reduce opioid overdoses and is a part of the city’s Harm Reduction … Read more
Rep. Rob Nosse (D-Portland) introduced a bill that would provide additional beds for Oregonians suffering from behavioral health problems on Monday. Members of the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care discussed House Bill 2544 during a public hearing. The bill would appropriate money from the general fund to the Oregon Health … Read more
On Thursday, California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced it has awarded almost $2.4 million from the general fund to 29 counties as part of the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Jails and Drug Courts Project, which is a continued effort to address the opioid crisis. The grants and stipends are being given to … Read more