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Panel considers state certification and ombudsman for outpatient substance‑use treatment programs
Summary
The SB 495 subcommittee reviewed gaps in oversight for outpatient substance‑use treatment and discussed expanding DHHS certification and ombudsman authority to improve program‑level oversight; the subcommittee voted by voice to recommend further legislation and set a full committee work session in early October.
The subcommittee on SB 495 convened to examine legislation that would allow the Department of Health and Human Services to certify outpatient substance‑use treatment programs and to expand oversight mechanisms for programs that do not accept Medicaid.
DHHS overview: Jenny O'Higgins, legislative liaison for behavioral health at DHHS, told the panel that partial hospitalization, outpatient, and intensive outpatient services fall under the ASAM continuum and would be within the bill's scope. "Partial hospitalization is considered outpatient, and so that would fall under this bill," O'Higgins said.
Problem identified: Several witnesses and legislators described gaps in oversight when programs operate outside…
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