Hawaii House Bill HR81

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/14/22

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Health To Restore Funding For Certain Substance Use Disorder Treatment Agencies For The Fiscal Years 2022-2023 And 2023-2024 For Residential, Outpatient, And Adolescent School-based Services.

Impact

If adopted, HR81 would specifically reinstate critical funding to programs that provide treatments essential for adults and adolescents facing substance use issues. The funding restoration is crucial as the resolution indicates that the recent cuts have severely reduced access to services for approximately 550 adults and 200 students per year. The loss of these resources has also decreased the availability of treatment beds for pregnant and parenting women by fifty percent, severely limiting their access to necessary care.

Summary

House Resolution 81, introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives during the Thirty-first Legislature in 2022, aims to request the Department of Health to restore funding for certain substance use disorder treatment agencies for the fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The resolution emphasizes the importance of adequate funding for residential, outpatient, and adolescent school-based treatment services necessary to address the complex needs of individuals suffering from substance use disorders (SUD) and to ensure their successful recovery. The resolution mentions specific agencies affected by the funding cuts and outlines the significant impact on service availability and quality.

Contention

The resolution highlights that substance use disorders are treatable but complex diseases that require effective and comprehensive treatment strategies varying by individual. Notably, the HR81 emphasizes a multi-faceted approach to treatment, which includes not only traditional rehabilitation but also co-occurring mental health support and family participation. The bill notes that the effectiveness of residential and outpatient services is backed by studies indicating that such programs significantly improve outcomes for those with severe SUDs. This has implications for state health policy and funding priorities, reaffirming the necessity of continuous investment in mental health and addiction services.