DiGirolamo Urges President to Overturn Medicaid Rule for Addiction Treatment
HARRISBURG – An effort to overturn a new Medicaid rule that will make it harder for those facing a drug and alcohol addiction from receiving appropriate treatment cleared the state House today, said Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), author of the measure.
“A new Medicaid rule would make it extremely difficult for those who are seeking treatment for addiction to receive an appropriate amount of care and services,” said DiGirolamo, chairman of the House Human Services Committee. “This new rule limits federal Medicaid match to 15 days a month for larger treatment centers, too short of a time period for patients who need inpatient care to recover. We must do everything we can, including urging the president to reverse this decision.”
House Resolution 1085 calls on President Barack Obama to halt implementation of a new Medicaid rule that will be harmful to the state’s effort to address the drug epidemic in Pennsylvania.
DiGirolamo further said that the implementation of this rule will do damage to people with addictions who are poor, including pregnant addicted women, women with dependent children and low-level drug offenders coming out of jails and prisons.
Both the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and the Department of Human Services are on record opposing this new rule. In fact, the Department of Human Services estimates a loss of $180 million in funding per year in matching Medicaid dollars. To date, 29 U.S. senators and 46 governors are also on record opposing implementation of this rule.
The resolution, with House passage, now will be sent to the White House, with copies to each of the state’s 18 congressmen and two senators.
Representative Gene DiGirolamo
18th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Keaton
717.705.2094
jkeaton@pahousegop.com
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