PRINTER'S NO. 2538
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
590
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY KINSEY, HEFFLEY, THOMAS, READSHAW, DiGIROLAMO,
BULLOCK, KIRKLAND, ROTHMAN, R. BROWN, ROZZI, VEREB, McNEILL
AND D. COSTA, NOVEMBER 17, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, NOVEMBER 17, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to
establish and administer a task force on access to addiction
treatment through health plans and other resources.
WHEREAS, The human suffering associated with addiction for
affected families has reached epidemic proportions; and
WHEREAS, More than 2,500 Pennsylvanians lost their lives to
drug overdoses in 2013, with higher numbers expected in
subsequent years; and
WHEREAS, Drug-related deaths outnumber traffic fatalities in
16 states, including this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Current court dockets are crowded with people with
addictions to prescription and other drugs; and
WHEREAS, Coverage for addiction treatment is already included
in the Affordable Care Act, the Federal Mental Health Parity and
Addiction Equity Act, health exchanges, Medicaid expansion and
State laws; and
WHEREAS, Despite this coverage, families urgently seeking
help for loved ones report difficulty accessing treatment
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resources; and
WHEREAS, Funding for addiction treatment through single
county authorities for drugs and alcohol has been reduced and is
severely limited; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to establish and convene
a task force to examine existing laws and identify methods and
procedures to assist consumers in accessing treatment; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the task force led by the Department of Drug
and Alcohol Programs include representatives from the Department
of Health, the Department of Human Services, the Insurance
Department, licensed addiction treatment programs, parents and
loved ones or patient advocates who have specifically had
problems regarding benefits coverage; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force review compliance with all
relevant current laws, regulations, agreements and other legal
requirements and review tools that are available to evaluate,
monitor, report and audit or otherwise assist consumers in
accessing addiction treatment through current laws; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the task force gather facts from public
hearings and accept and review any briefs or comments submitted
by any stakeholder; and be it further
RESOLVED, That parents, siblings, family members and others
who have lost loved ones are welcome to submit testimony for the
record; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs
and its task force prepare a report for the General Assembly,
including, but not limited to, legislative and regulatory
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remedies, as appropriate, to be completed one year after the
passage of this resolution.
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