D.C. Update – December 5, 2014

News from NASADAD

NASADAD attends briefing on the collateral consequences of addiction led by Senators Portman (R-OH), Whitehouse (D-RI), Ayotte (R-NH), and Klobuchar (D-MN)
NASADAD submits comments to SAMHSA and CMS on State certified behavioral health clinic pilot

News from the States

Statewide system reform program to expand the reach of Family drug courts

Around the Agencies

CDC releases fact sheet on life-saving HIV care
HHS reports 17% reduction in hospital-acquired conditions over three years
SAMHSA releases report on Medicaid coverage for medications to treat substance use disorders

Upcoming Events

December 10^th: Webinar on worker’s compensation and prescription painkiller misuse

News from NASADAD

NASADAD attends briefing on the collateral consequences of addiction led by Senators Portman (R-OH), Whitehouse (D-RI), Ayotte (R-NH), and Klobuchar (D-MN)

Rob Morrison, Executive Director and Colleen Haller, Public Policy Associate attended the December 2^nd forum hosted by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) and attended by Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The forum included presentations by researchers, practitioners, individuals in recovery, and Members of Congress. The three highlighted topics were the science of addiction, addiction and the criminal justice system, and the collateral consequences of addiction through the lens of individuals in recovery. This is the third in a series of forums hosted by the two Senators to identify policy priorities for the next Congress related to prevention, treatment, and recovery for substance use disorders. The Senators introduced their bill, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2014, during the fall and plan to re-introduce it in the next Congress. There are also efforts to introduce a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

NASADAD submits comments to SAMHSA and CMS on certified community behavioral health clinic pilot

NASADAD submitted comments to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding individual aspects of the certified community behavioral health clinic pilot project. In March of this year, Congress passed the Protecting Access to Medicare Act that, among other provisions, created a demonstration program to establish certified community behavioral health clinics that expand access to mental health and substance use disorder services and enhance Medicaid reimbursement for such services. Certification criteria must be published by September 2015, with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) taking the lead. SAMHSA held a listening session on November 12th to seek public and stakeholder input on the criteria.

CMS also held a listening session to discuss the guidance that CMS is developing on how States can establish a prospective payment system for the clinics. Rick Harwood, Deputy Executive Director/Director of Research and Program Applications participated in both listening sessions and provided verbal comments, as well as written comments to both CMS and SAMHSA.

News from the States

Statewide system reform program to expand the reach of family drug courts

Five states have been selected to receive additional funding from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in order to expand the reach of their Family Drug Courts. The five states: Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, New York, and Ohio, will receive funding under the new Statewide System Reform Program (SSRP). This program aims to improve parental participation in substance abuse treatment, as well as build an effective framework for statewide Family Drug Court policies. The shift in focus from individual Family Drug Court innovation to a Statewide system will be critical in moving towards Family Drug Court expansion on a national level.

Around the Agencies

CDC releases fact sheet on life-saving HIV care

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report on critical measures concerning HIV care. The CDC reported that viral suppression, or keeping a patient’s HIV levels low, is the most important factor in saving lives. However, viral suppression is achieved through HIV care, which only 4 in 10 Americans receive. 76% of patients who receive HIV care achieve viral suppression. The fact sheet provides steps towards achieving both HIV care and viral suppression, as well as expanded statistics on HIV care.

HHS reports 17% reduction in hospital-acquired conditions over three years

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports that the rate of hospital-acquired conditions declined 17% between 2010 and 2013, saving an estimated 50,000 lives and $12 billion. The report focuses on nine conditions of interest, including adverse drug effects and bloodstream infections. These nine conditions have both the highest costs and inpatient mortality rates per patient. Additionally, The American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) has provided tools and resources for tracking improvements in hospital care. HRET has also trained over 2,500 hospital staff on improved care practices for the nine conditions of interest.

SAMHSA releases report on Medicaid coverage for medications to treat substance use disorders

The report, “Medicaid Coverage and Financing of Medications to Treat Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorders,” was released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in November. The report provides information about Medicaid coverage for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for alcohol and opioid dependence, as well as information on cost effectiveness and treatment outcomes. Innovative approaches from Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maryland are also included. Check out NASADAD’s statement on MAT.

Upcoming Events

December 10^th: Webinar on workers’ compensation and prescription painkiller misuse

The National Safety Council (NSC) will host a webinar on Wednesday, December 10^th at 3:00pm EDT. The webinar, titled “Workers’ Compensation: Managing Prescription Painkiller Misuse,” will cover the impact of painkiller misuse on claiming workers’ compensation claims as well as how managers can improve their prescription drug monitoring program. While prescription painkillers are often used to treat injured workers, misuse often increases cost and recovery time. The NSC will discuss these effects and what providers are doing to address this issue.