Committee advances bill creating medication-assisted treatment grant program, changes Medicaid prior-authorization rules

The House Human Services Committee reported House Bill 561 as amended, a measure that replaces earlier pilot-program provisions with a permanent medication-assisted substance use treatment grant program and revises prior-authorization requirements for Medicaid managed care plans.

Ashley, a committee staff member, summarized the bill as amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to repeal provisions establishing a non-narcotic medication-assisted substance use treatment pilot program and to provide for a medication-assisted substance use treatment grant program. Committee amendment A00316 was described as revising prior-authorization rules: it mandates that Medicaid managed care plans automatically approve medication-assisted treatment (MAT) forms on the statewide preferred drug list that do not require prior authorization, removes a bulletin-notice requirement, and adds the term "disorder" to language on substance use treatment.

Representative Madden was identified as the sponsor. The amendment to prior-authorization requirements was moved and seconded; Representative Harris seconded the amendment. The committee adopted the amendment with no negative votes recorded and then reported the bill out of committee.

Representative Heffley said he previously voted against the bill in the prior session but would support it in committee while working on a floor amendment. He expressed concern about maintaining funding for non-opioid treatments such as Vivitrol and noted that, in prior hearings, some program funds were unused during COVID-related disruptions. "I still do have some concerns. Really, it's about maintaining, the funding for programs like Vivitrol," Heffley said, and added he planned a floor amendment to address those concerns but would vote to move the bill forward that day.

With no negative votes recorded in committee, House Bill 561 as amended was reported from the Human Services Committee for consideration by the full House.