[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1131-E1132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INTRODUCTION OF THE MEDICAID IMD EXCLUSION

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to amend 
title XIX of the Social Security Act and remove the exclusion of 
coverage for services in institutions of mental diseases (IMD) under 
Medicaid. This legislation will enable more Americans who suffer from 
severe substance use disorders (SUD) to gain equal access to the 
treatment necessary to their long-term recovery.
  Substance use disorder plagues the United States both socially and 
economically. The

[[Page E1132]]

cost of substance abuse and drug addiction to our health care system 
totals $705 billion annually and the human costs of this disease are 
nothing short of devastating for many American families.
  Providing health care services and treatment resources to those who 
suffer from substance abuse is critical. However, millions of Americans 
who need treatment go without services each year. This shortfall is a 
symptom of outdated policy that limits the availability of substance 
use disorder services, particularly for those who require residential 
care to address their addictions.
  Under current law, Medicaid beneficiaries are barred access to 
community-based residential treatment for severe conditions due to the 
IMD exclusion that prohibits reimbursement care of patients at 
facilities with more than 16 beds. This nonsensical exclusion has 
effectively deterred facilities from serving those in dire need of 
care.
  Mr. Speaker, my legislation addresses this problem by eliminating the 
IMD exclusion and allowing those who suffer from severe addiction to 
have equal access to treatment and become productive members of 
society. It will also reduce the social and economic consequences 
associated with substance abuse. I encourage my colleagues to join me 
in supporting this bill and addressing a devastating problem affecting 
far too many communities across the nation.

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