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At a time when local, state and federal lawmakers are working to preserve tax dollars, Pennsylvania has an opportunity to save millions on how it attacks the opioid crisis if it passes House Bill 561 or Senate Bill 872, its identical version in the state Senate.
This legislation would allow federal Medicaid dollars to be spent on treating state and county prison inmates who suffer from Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) with a combination of medication and therapy treatments. With more federal Medicaid funding we can reduce recidivism and SAVE state and county tax dollars.
Counties could tap into a new Medication-Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant program also created by legislation. Counties need that relief. At a time when Pennsylvania is spending $232 million a year on OUD treatment, passing this legislation would allow our counties to redirect funding for other county programs and improve treatment.
JOSEPHINE FERRO
Middle Smithfield Township
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom