For Louisiana Children and Teens in Crisis, Inpatient Help is Often Hours from Home
The Advocate [5/09] - Seeing her daughter Vivienne strapped to a hospital gurney, Linda felt angry, powerless. After hours spent in a...
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PRESS RELEASES
CLASPP Commends Louisiana Legislature for Prioritizing Addiction Treatment
CLASPP Applauds Louisiana House’s Investment in Behavioral Health
June 3, 2024 – Yesterday, the Louisiana Legislature approved a Fiscal Year 25 state budget (House Bill 1) which includes an additional $10 million in state funding to enhance substance use disorder (SUD) Medicaid rates. Medicaid rates for SUD treatment have not been adjusted since 2012. Should this priority remain in the budget that is signed by Governor Landry—coupled with matching federal funds—the budget would provide for over $31 million to increase SUD treatment rates in Louisiana. “We value the Legislature’s support and awareness of the challenges we face in providing addiction care, and that adequate funding for these services is an issue legislators from all sides could come together behind. Every addiction provider in our state is breathing a little easier now,” said CLASPP President Mike Martyn. “We urge Governor Landry to preserve this appropriation in House Bill 1 as signed and enacted.”
April 25, 2024 — Today, the Louisiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 1 with language included designating $10 million to enhance Medicaid rates for specialized behavioral health services. “Operating a treatment program at current funding levels is simply unsustainable”, said CLASPP President Mike Martyn. “The time is now for Medicaid behavioral health rates to be addressed. We are grateful to the House for providing additional funding for services and for prioritizing wellbeing and recovery, and we call on the Senate to act in kind.” Most Medicaid rates for Specialized Behavioral Health Services (SBHS)—including Licensed Mental Health Professionals and Substance Use Disorder treatment—have not been adjusted since 2012. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has produced numerous rate review reports indicating Louisiana’s SBHS Medicaid rates are dramatically low compared to other states, and that additional State General Fund (SGF) dollars are needed to restore SBHS Medicaid rates to benchmark levels. House Bill 1 will be debated by the Senate, and amendments attached in the Senate shall be conferred in by the House. The Regular Legislative Session shall adjourn no later than 6:00pm on Monday, June 3, 2024.
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