Oregon Cares: Substance Abuse Health Coverage in the Beaver State
As part of its mission to make health care available and affordable for Oregonians, the Oregon Health Authority proactively offers addiction-specific services as part of its Mental Health Division. Programs such as Oregon’s Driving under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) service system help those with substance abuse problems move through both the legal system and full treatment, including therapy, education, a certification that allows people to regain their driver’s license, and aftercare.
State of the Nation: The Affordable Care Act and Addiction
Before the Affordable Care Act increased coverage, addiction services were not typically covered under mental health treatment by providers. Addiction fell under the “preexisting condition” umbrella, so substance abuse treatments such as rehab, medication, and counseling were denied coverage. The Affordable Care Act specifically covers this type of treatment as an essential health benefit.
The proposed overhaul under the American Health Care act of 2017 would roll back Medicaid and treat “preexisting conditions” in a way that could leave 1.3 million Americans without addiction and mental health coverage.
What Oregon Has: Continuous Care Organizations
The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health highlighted the state of Oregon’s Continuous Care Organizations (CCOs) structure, where the Health Authority works in conjunction with law enforcement and providers to execute a treatment plan, and create a community of support for individuals seeking help. The DUII program is one of their primary offerings, helping move citizens through gaining a “hardship permit” to enable them to drive to work, through therapy and medical assistance, and finally transitioning into a substance-free life.
Where national health care will need to face growing gaps in coverage and assistance for addicted individuals, Oregon’s state plan ensures that people struggling (with everything from legal ramifications to the issues of mental health related to addiction) can get the help they need.