HLS 19RS-1762 ENGROSSED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 71
BY REPRESENTATIVE DUSTIN MILLER
SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to issue regulations
to allow the establishment of new opioid treatment programs and methadone dosing
sites
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to issue regulations by December
3 31, 2020, to allow the establishment of new opioid treatment programs and
4 methadone dosing sites.
5 WHEREAS, a more robust comprehensive treatment system is needed, to help
6individuals with substance use disorder get the treatment they need through opioid treatment
7programs and methadone dosing sites; and
8 WHEREAS, the number of opioid-related deaths in Louisiana was one hundred and
9fifty percent higher in 2017 than in 2012; and
10 WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 2018, Louisianans spent seven thousand eight hundred
11eighty-six days in emergency departments for incidents related to opioids, with related
12Medicaid costs exceeding one million eight hundred thousand dollars; and
13 WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 2018, Louisiana saw nine thousand eight hundred thirty-
14four hospital admissions related to opioids, with related Medicaid costs exceeding thirty-nine
15million seven hundred thousand dollars; and
16 WHEREAS, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
17(SAMHSA) has recognized that medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder, in
18combination with counseling and behavior therapies, can successfully treat opioid use
19disorder and help sustain recovery; and
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HCR NO. 71
1 WHEREAS, SAMHSA has developed an accreditation for opioid treatment programs
2to provide medication-assisted treatment, as well as a range of other treatments; and
3 WHEREAS, a panel of experts convened to study the opioid epidemic in Louisiana
4recommended in December 2018 that Louisiana undertake the following steps, among
5others, to address opioid addiction in Louisiana:
6 (1) Expand access to evidenced-based treatment for opioid addiction.
7 (2) Establish a statewide quality improvement system for addiction treatment.
8 (3) Address addiction as a chronic illness.
9 (4) Expand the use of peer recovery specialists for those with opioid use disorder.
10 (5) Invest in models of care to support women and families; and
11 WHEREAS, individuals in rural parishes do not have adequate access to medication-
12assisted treatment for substance use disorder.
13 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
14urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to issue regulations to allow the
15establishment of new opioid treatment programs and methadone dosing sites.
16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in considering the expansion of new opioid
17treatment programs, the Louisiana Department of Health shall consider all of the following:
18 (1) Developing an application process for new opioid treatment programs that
19prioritizes the expansion of organizations already operating opioid treatment programs in
20the state and in good standing with the office of behavioral health, and the integration of new
21sites with federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and health systems.
22 (2) Providing new opioid treatment programs that offer all three Food and Drug
23Administration-approved medications for opioid use disorder, obtain certification as a
24Medicaid provider, and deliver services to patients covered under the Medicaid program.
25 (3) Creating an application process and necessary regulations for the establishment
26of medication units to expand the availability of methadone; engaging with local governing
27entities, opioid treatment programs, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics,
28and health systems to establish these dosing sites. Rural parishes with higher rates of
29overdose deaths should be considered for these dosing sites.
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1 (4) Entering into partnerships with providers offering physical health services, such
2as federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, or health systems, either by direct
3integration with these facilities, co-location or providing physical health services within the
4opioid treatment program. These partnerships should prioritize the screening and treatment
5of comorbid conditions, such as Hepatitis C and HIV.
6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these new regulations for opioid treatment
7programs be issued by the Louisiana Department of Health by December 31, 2020.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health issue an
9annual report to monitor the progress of this new opioid treatment program expansion,
10including the number of Medicaid patients served at the opioid treatment programs and
11other measures of success.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
13secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 71 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Dustin Miller
Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to issue regulations by December 31, 2020 for
the establishment of new opioid treatment programs and methadone dosing sites.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill:
1. Revise language to include rural health clinics in the consideration of expanding
new opioid treatment programs.
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