Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $5 Million To Increase Substance Use Disorder Treatments
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services a $4,559,743 federal planning grant to help fight the opioid epidemic by increasing substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery services under Medicaid.
“We are facing one of the worst drug epidemics in our history,” said Durbin. “This critical federal investment will help those on the frontlines battling opioid addiction and overdose in Illinois’ communities. Senator Duckworth and I will continue fighting for this important funding.”
“The opioid epidemic has taken far too many lives, and resolving this crisis requires a comprehensive effort from officials at every level of government and from local organizations,” Duckworth said. “I will continue working with Senator Durbin to ensure those treating and preventing opioid addiction have the resources and federal funding they need to serve their communities.”
The planning grants are intended to increase the capacity of Medicaid providers to deliver SUD treatment or recovery services through: an ongoing assessment of the SUD treatment needs of the state; recruitment, training, and technical assistance for Medicaid providers that offer SUD treatment or recovery services; and improved reimbursement for and expansion of the number or treatment capacity of Medicaid providers.
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