March 13, 2017

Amid Opioid Epidemic, Senator Warren Launches Survey of Massachusetts Treatment Facilities

A copy of Senator Warren's letter to providers is available here (PDF)
A copy of the survey is available here (PDF)

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Monday launched a new survey of over 70 organizations across Massachusetts providing dedicated behavioral health treatment and recovery services for patients suffering from substance use disorders.

The aim of the survey, developed with input from the Association for Behavioral Healthcare, is to determine the specific challenges faced by various providers in responding to the opioid epidemic and treating patients with mental health needs or substance use disorders. The resulting data will be compiled in a public report, and deployed in the fight to help close the "treatment gap" and equip health care providers with critical federal funding.

"Providing adequate funding for access to quality behavioral health services should not be a partisan fight," said Senator Warren in the survey's opening letter. "This is a serious crisis that our communities are facing, and I plan to do everything I can to ensure organizations in Massachusetts--and across the country--receive the resources they need."

The survey addresses a wide range of topics, including patient access, treatment services, insurance coverage and health care financing for patients.

The senator will further address the issue of substance use disorder, and how repeal of the Affordable Care Act will impact efforts to address the opioid crisis, during a visit to Manet Community Health Center in Quincy on Monday morning.

###