Bill Text: HI HB2611 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii House Bill 2611 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating To Substance Abuse Treatment.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-03-23 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. [HB2611 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-HB2611-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2611
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

PART I

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that high end users of emergency care and hospital beds tend to be people with multiple chronic conditions, of which substance abuse, mental illness, and homelessness are the predominant chronic conditions. Untreated multiple chronic conditions, including addiction disorders and mental illnesses, increase with age, and as the number of a person's chronic conditions increases, the risks of certain undesirable outcomes also increase, such as mortality, poor functional status, unnecessary hospitalizations, adverse drug events, duplicative tests, and conflicting medical advice.

Because people with multiple chronic conditions suffer suboptimal health outcomes and incur rising health care expenses, enhanced attention on this population is critical to improving health care quality and costs.

Improved health care outcomes for individuals with multiple chronic conditions comprise a broad spectrum, such as maintaining function, palliating symptoms, preventing adverse drug events, avoiding unnecessary emergency department visits, and reducing hospitalizations and rehospitalizations.

The purpose of this part is to appropriate moneys to establish a comprehensive and coordinated continuum of treatment services.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the department of health to establish a comprehensive and coordinated continuum of treatment services, including goals and benefits, for persons with multiple chronic conditions, including substance abuse disorders.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.

PART II

SECTION 3. The legislature finds that screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance use disorders and persons who are at risk of developing substance abuse disorders. SBIRT represents an early intervention approach for individuals with nondependent substance use, effectively helping them before they need more extensive or specialized treatment.

Research has demonstrated that SBIRT successfully reduces health care costs, the severity of drug and alcohol use, the risk of trauma (distressing events that may have long lasting, harmful effects on a person's physical and emotional health and wellbeing), and the percentage of at-risk patients who go without specialized substance use treatment.

The referral and treatment process, which is a critical yet often overlooked component of the overall SBIRT process, consists of assisting a patient with accessing specialized treatment, selecting a treatment facility, and helping navigate any barriers, such as cost or transportation, that could hinder treatment in a specialty setting.

The purpose of this part is to appropriate moneys to establish a comprehensive and coordinated centralized referral system in each county.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the department of health to establish a comprehensive and coordinated centralized referral system in each county; provided that a permanent centralized referral center shall be established first in the city and county of Honolulu and then expanded to include a referral service to assist each of the other counties; provided further that of the sum appropriated, $1,500,000 shall be allocated to establish each referral system in each county.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.

PART III

SECTION 5. The legislature finds that effective substance abuse case management requires a qualified professional to help substance abusers recognize their problems and acquire the motivation and tools to access treatment. Case management professionals support substance abusers as they move through the recovery continuum and reinforce treatment goals. Case management is especially appropriate for substance abusers with special treatment needs, related to issues such as HIV infection or AIDS, mental illness, chronic and acute health problems, poverty, homelessness, responsibility for parenting young children, social and developmental problems associated with adolescence and advanced age, involvement with illegal activities, physical disabilities, and sexual orientation.

Case management, even if provided temporarily or in concert with other case managers, can help address inadequate funding gaps, extensive waitlists for residential services, barriers between systems, and eligibility differences between various treatment providers.

The purpose of this part is to appropriate moneys to establish a comprehensive and coordinated substance use disorder case management program.

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the department of health to establish a comprehensive and coordinated substance use disorder case management program, including the recently created case management programs that help those with substance use disorders; provided that of the sum appropriated, $1,000,000 shall be allocated to establish each professional case management program for substance use disorders on each of the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.

PART IV

SECTION 7. The legislature finds that peer mentoring or coaching refers to a one-on-one relationship in which a peer leader with more recovery experience than the person served encourages, motivates, and supports a peer who is seeking to establish or strengthen the peer's recovery. Generally, mentors or coaches assist peers with tasks such as setting recovery goals, developing recovery action plans, and solving problems directly related to recovery, including finding sober housing, making new friends, finding new uses of spare time, and improving job skills. Mentors or coaches may also provide assistance with issues that arise in connection with collateral problems, such as having a criminal record or physical or mental challenges.

The purpose of this part is to appropriate moneys for a peer mentoring and coaching program.

SECTION 8. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for a peer mentoring and coaching program, which shall include:

(1) Hiring supervisors to supervise and train volunteer peer mentors and coaches to help those with substance use disorders; and

(2) Developing incentive programs and stipends for volunteers.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.

PART V

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DOH; Substance Abuse Treatment; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates moneys for Department of Health to fund substance abuse treatment programs relating to persons with multiple chronic conditions, a centralized referral system, case management programs, and a peer mentoring or coaching program. (HB2611 HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.