House, Senate negotiators release final opioid package

Bipartisan leaders from committees of jurisdiction in the House and Senate yesterday reached agreement on the final provisions of the Opioid Crisis Response Act (H.R. 6). The final language includes an AHA-supported provision that would allow states to receive federal Medicaid matching funds for up to 30 days per year for services provided to adults aged 21-64 for substance use disorders in an Institution for Mental Disease. The bill also includes AHA-supported provisions addressing health insurance for former foster youth; maternal and infant health; access to telehealth and medication-assisted treatment; parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits; alternatives to opioids and abuse deterrence and prevention; patient experience survey questions relating to pain management; care coordination for drug overdose patients; and the prescription drug monitoring program. AHA is reviewing the legislation and will provide more information to members soon.