Sweeping drug prevention legislation signed into law earlier this week by the president includes language from two bills championed by U.S. Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA) to support Americans in beating opioid addiction.
President Donald Trump on Oct. 24 signed into law the bipartisan, bicameral Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act or the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, H.R. 6, which reforms how Medicare and Medicaid address the opioid crisis, among numerous provisions.
“This landmark law is a bipartisan success that will save lives and improve safety in Orange County neighborhoods,” Rep. Walters said, referring to her district. “While the fight to end the opioid crisis is not over, today marks a significant step forward to offer new hope to the millions of Americans affected by opioid addiction.”
Included in H.R. 6 is the Individuals in Medicaid Deserve Care that is Appropriate and Responsible in its Execution Act, H.R. 5797, also known as the IMD CARE Act, which the congresswoman sponsored on May 15.
H.R. 5797 temporarily allows states to apply to receive Medicaid payment for services provided in institutions for mental diseases (IMDs) and for other medically necessary services for enrollees (aged 21 to 64) with opioid-use or cocaine-use disorders, among other provisions, according to the congressional record summary.
Current law generally prohibits federal payment under Medicaid for services provided in IMDs for individuals under the age of 65, although states may receive payment through certain mechanisms, such as through a Medicaid demonstration waiver, according to the summary.
“The language modeled after my IMD CARE Act will improve access to addiction treatment programs for Medicaid recipients,” Rep. Walters said.
Language from the lawmaker’s other bill that’s included in H.R. 6 is the bipartisan Ensuring Access to Quality Sober Living Act of 2017, H.R. 4684, introduced on Dec. 19, 2017, by U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA).
Rep. Walters signed on as an original cosponsor of H.R. 4684, which requires the federal government to publish best practices for operating recovery housing, which are also known as sober living facilities. Such housing environments are free from alcohol and illegal drug use that’s centered on peer support and is connected to services that promote drug use recovery, according to the congressional record summary.
The H.R. 4684 provision that’s included in H.R. 6 “to provide best practice recommendations for sober living homes will ensure patients receive the quality care they deserve,” Rep. Walters said.