HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1478        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1948

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act increasing public safety by increasing access to addiction treatment..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 111E of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby

amended in section 5 by adding, after line 34, the following:—

The director shall establish a program of assistance for the treatment of all substance dependent persons who are not otherwise eligible for assistance under any other program and who lack private health insurance coverage or have health insurance coverage which does not cover all necessary treatment covered by this chapter. The department shall furnish such medical assistance to each such substance dependent person residing in the commonwealth in accordance with standards of eligibility established by the department.

The department shall ensure that all substance dependent persons who appear to be eligible for assistance under this or any other chapter are assisted in enrolling for such treatments.

The director shall promulgate and, from time to time, amend regulations detailing eligibility criteria, services to be covered in conformity with appropriate standards of care, and reimbursement policies.

The department shall conduct annual reports detailing the effectiveness and financial impact of the programs that are funded pursuant to the requirements of this act, and submit those studies to the Legislature no later than one year from the date the programs are implemented. The evaluation studies shall include, but not be limited to, a study of the implementation process, a review of lower incarcerations costs, reductions in crime, reduced prison and jail construction, reduced welfare costs, reduced public safety costs, reduced health care costs, reduced costs of homelessness services, the adequacy of funds appropriated, treatment measures on completion rates and quality of life indicators, such as alcohol and drug used, employment, health, mental health, and family and social supports and, other impacts or issues the department can identify.

In addition to studies to evaluate the effectiveness and financial impact of the programs that are funded pursuant to the requirements of this act, the department shall produce an annual report detailing the number and characteristics of participants served as a result of this act.