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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-08 13-129 RESOLVECOUNCIL ACTION Item No. 13-129 Date: April 8, 2013 Item/Subject: Resolve, Establishing a Position in Support of Legislation to Reduce Costs and Increase Access to Methadone Treatment. Responsible Department: Legal Commentary: This Resolve, if passed, will establish the City's position in support of passage of LD 1213. Currently, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services promulgates regulations regarding the providing of substance abuse treatment services including the operation of methadone clinics. LD 1213 "An Act to Reduce Costs and Increase Access to Methadone Treatment" is currently being considered by the legislature. This bill seeks to facilitate access to methadone services throughout the State and will require the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to increase the number of federally qualified health centers that provide methadone treatment services and to require that those in need of services obtain it at the site closest to their home. Because of the limited number of methadone treatment facilities and their locations, many in need of the services are forced to travel long distances at a great cost to themselves and, for those under the MaineCare program, to the State. Three of the methadone treatment facilities are located in the City of Bangor. Manager's Comments: Associated Information: Budget Approval: Department Head Oa L-ob f) -N (xu� City Manager Finance Director Legal Approval: Solicitor Introduced for Passage First Reading Page _ of _ Referral 13-129 ` APRIL 8, 2013 p Assigned to Councilor Civiello CITY OF BANGOR (TITLE.) Resolve, Establishing a Position in Support of Legislation to Reduce Costs and Increase Access to Methadone Treatment. WHEREAS, under current Maine law, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services promulgates regulations regarding the providing of substance abuse treatment services; and WHEREAS, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services regulations include rules governing the operation of methadone clinics; and WHEREAS, there is currently pending before the Maine legislature a bill, LD 1213 "An Act to Reduce Costs and Increase Access to Methadone Treatment", that will require the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to increase the number of federally qualified health centers that provide methadone treatment services and to require that those in need of services obtain it at the site closest to their home and otherwise facilitate access to services throughout the State; and WHEREAS, currently three methadone treatment facilities are located in the City of Bangor; and WHEREAS, currently because of the limited number of methadone treatment facilities and their locations many in need of the services are forced to travel long distances at a great cost to themselves and, for those under the MaineCare program, to the State; and WHEREAS, LD 1213 will improve delivery of services to those in need of methadone treatment and save individuals and the State of Maine money; and BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR; BE IT RESOLVED, That the City of Bangor takes.a position in favor of passage of LD 1213 "An Act to Reduce Costs and Increase Access to Methadone Treatment" BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolve shall be sent to the members of the City of Bangor legislative delegation and the Legislature's Committee on Health and Human Services. IN CITY COUNCIL April 8, 2013 Motion made and seconded for Passage Passe CITY CL RK 13-129 HP0858, LD 1213, item 1, 126th Maine State Legislature An Act To Reduce Costs and Increase Access to Methadone Treatment PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney. An Act To Reduce Costs and Increase Access to Methadone Treatment Be. it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §20010 is enacted to read: 20010. Methadone treatment The department shall take the following steps to reduce the cost of and increase access to methadone treatment. 1. Licensing. I The department shall license as a methadone treatment clinic a federally qualified health center or other health care provider or medical practice that applies for licensure and meets all state and federal requirements. 2. Treatment location. The department shall require that a member of the MaineCare program under Title 22, chapter 855 who is eligible for services at a licensed methadone treatment clinic enroll at the clinic closest to the residence of the person unless the person is exempt from this requirement in accordance with rules adopted by the department. The department shall work with licensed methadone treatment clinics to facilitate access to services and distribution of services across the State_ 3. Rules. The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5 chapter 375 subchapter 2-A. Sec. 2. Rules. The Department of Health and Human Services shall amend the rules for licensed methadone treatment clinics to eliminate the requirement that the centers be open for administration of methadone treatment on Sundays. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. The department shall work with current clinics, potential licensees, federal parties and other stakeholder groups to address barriers to providing this service that exist in rules and policies at local, state and national levels. SUMMARY This bill proposes to decrease costs of and increase access to substance abuse treatment services by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to increase the number of federally qualified health centers that provide methadone treatment services, to require enrollment at the clinic closest to the person's home and to work to facilitate access to services 'and distribution of services across the State. The bill requires the department to amend the methadone clinic rules to eliminate the requirement that the centers be open for administration of methadone treatment on Sundays. The bill designates the rules as routine technical rules. The department is required to work with stakeholders to address current rules and policies that act as barriers to achieve the intent of this legislation. H00858, LR 789, item 1, Session - 126th Maine Legislature, page 1