policy
ACAP Statement to Senate HELP on The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018
Statement for the Record by the
Margaret A. Murray, CEO
Association for Community Affiliated Plans
for the
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
Hearing
entitled
“The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018”
April 11, 2018
Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member Murray, Members of the Committee:
On behalf of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans, please accept this statement for the record on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Committee’s efforts to address America’s devastating opioid and substance use crisis and for the hearing entitled, “The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018.” As organizations on the front lines of health care in this country, America’s Safety Net Health Plans stand prepared to help Congress in addressing this crisis and we applaud Congress’ attention to this important issue.
ACAP represents 61 member plans in 29 states serving more than 20 million Americans receiving coverage through Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare Advantage D-SNPs, and the
Health Insurance Marketplaces. Our members serve almost 1 of every 2 Medicaid enrollees in managed care, and our qualified health plan (QHP) members have seen
substantial increases in coverage provided to enrollees in the Marketplaces nationwide. Collectively, our Safety Net Health Plan members serve nearly half of a million enrollees in stand-alone CHIP programs as well as many additional children in Medicaid expansion CHIP.
States and the Federal governments have turned to managed care organizations (MCOs) to provide coordinated care services for people who rely on publicly-sponsored health
coverage programs. Because of their prominent role in coordinating care for Americans enrolled in these programs, Safety Net Health Plans are uniquely situated to provide high value care coordination for individuals in need of treatment for substance use disorders. Access to coverage (along with comprehensive, integrated physical and behavioral health care) is essential to address the needs of those suffering from mental illness and/or substance use disorders (SUD). Unfortunately, cost is one of the key barriers to treatment for the SUD population and the importance of Medicaid coverage for the low-income adult population is essential to helping address this crisis.
In the normal course of operations, Safety Net Health Plans assess member needs, identify treatment gaps, engage members, encourage medication adherence, develop
individualized care plans, and coordinate care. These programs are particularly important to facilitate integrated physical and behavioral health care and social services for
enrollees with substance use disorders.