USARA Executive Director, Mary Jo McMillen, Advocates for Health Care Coverage for SUD Population

The shortage of funding and lack of health care coverage is USARA’s greatest concern for Utahans in need of   Substance Use and Mental Health Disorder treatment and medical care.  This is a health care crisis that deserves critical attention from our Utah legislators who have the power to determine how Utahans will access health care.

In 2013 the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (dsamh.utah.gov) reported an estimated 102,962 Utahans (adults and youth) were in need of Substance Use Disorder treatment, while only 15,955 were able to access public funding for services.  That number is 2,005 less than persons served in 2009 and 1,031 less than those served in 2012.   The critical need for treatment is increasing while funding dollars allocated to county behavioral health and other service providers is decreasing.

In the cases of people who are insured, there can be a limited benefit for the number of treatment sessions allowable per year for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (MH & SUD’s).  This limited health care benefit does not meet the requirement of “Parity”, known as the Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act.  Parity requires that insurance companies pay for treatment based on the severity of the MH and/or SUD condition and provide the prescribed amount of treatment needed for the individual.

We know when a person engages in treatment and begins their recovery they become healthier mentally, physically, socially and vocationally.  Having access to health care and support is critical to a person’s long-term recovery. We should no longer consider that “completion” of SUD treatment is an indication of a person’s ability to sustain recovery.  Following a “completed” treatment episode can be the most vulnerable time for a person to be at risk to slide backwards due stressors and barriers often faced in the recovery process.  The stress can cause post acute addiction symptoms and lead to risk for relapse.

USARA is committed to advocating for people with SUD’s.  We support that people do recover with the right amount of treatment and support to maintain their recovery, which requires access to a comprehensive health care plan and choice of service provider.  The plan should include annual wellness checks, medical attention for physical concerns and early intervention of symptoms associated with MH and/or SUD’s.

This year USARA has broadened our scope of support for the Recovery Community by advocating for health care coverage and partnering with other statewide organizations; National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI-Utah), Utah Health Policy Project and Utahans for the Medicaid Expansion. 

I want to urge our Utah communities to stand up and be a voice for Recovery and access to Health Care Coverage for all Utahans! You can show your support by:

• Attending the “Rally for Recovery” at the State Capitol on February 20th, Noon to 1pm.
• Contact your Utah Legislators and ask them to approve a plan for all Utahans to have affordable health care insurance coverage.
• Tell your story if you are a person who’s life has been impacted by the heath care crisis at www.healthpolicyproject.org/Storybank.html