In Case You Haven't Heard…

Around budget time, there is always concern at this time of year. But 2025 is different. Field groups are coming out of all areas to call for protections for Medicaid, which pays for much of treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs), and Medicare, which only recently has been able to pay for much of this treatment. Most recently, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) has called on treatment providers – and everyone involved with the need for treatment – to contact members of Congress in the support of Medicaid. Mark Dunn, NAATP public policy director, wrote last week that during budget reconciliation, tax breaks for the rich proposed by the White House call for reducing trillions of dollars. For example, the House Energy & Commerce Committee has been told to cut $880 billion from programs it oversees. Guess what would be cut: Medicaid. And even though most NAATP programs do not treat patients on Medicaid, these cuts would have an effect. Dunn: “The major funding source for SUD treatment in America is Medicaid. While we recognize that not all our members accept Medicaid patients, if it is dramatically cut, it would put pressure on the entire treatment system in the country.”