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[Distribution of Access to Recovery funds] - Within funds
provided, $100,000,000 is for the new drug and alcohol treatment voucher
initiative as proposed by the House. The Senate did not include funding for
this program. The conferees applaud the Administration for proposing this
initiative, the Access to Recovery program, which will provide much-needed
funds to increase capacity and expand access to alcohol and drug treatment. The
conferees expect that the new voucher program will support evidenced-based
practice and will provide medically appropriate treatment for individuals
needing care. To this end, the conferees expect that States and providers
receiving funds under this program will use assessment and placement criteria
developed by national experts, such as the American Society of Addiction
Medicine. The conferees support the Administration's goal of opening new
pathways to treatment. At the same time however, the conferees direct that all
providers participating in the Access to Recovery program should be held
accountable to the same standards of care, performance, licensure and
certification requirements as other licensed or certified drug and alcohol
programs in their respective States. The conferees direct SAMHSA to report to
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 30 days after Access to
Recovery funds are distributed regarding the States that applied for and
received grants, the amount awarded to each State, and the services each State
will provide with these funds. Furthermore, no funds shall be expended
under this Act for the implementation of the Access to Recovery voucher program
other than those funds specifically provided for by the conferees. (pages
779-880)
Action taken or to be taken
SAMHSA will encourage applicants to propose strategies for ensuring the use of
assessment and placement criteria developed by national experts, and for
holding all providers that receive funding under the voucher program to the
same standards of care, licensure, and certification requirements as other
programs that deliver similar services in their respective States. SAMHSA will
report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriation 30 days after Access
to Recovery funds are distributed regarding the States that applied for and
received grants, the amount awarded to each state and the services each State
will provide with these funds.
Item
[Underage drinking] - The conferees are concerned about underage
drinking and the need to take immediate steps to better coordinate Federal
efforts combating this problem facing our Nation. The conferees are aware of
recommendations that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) establish
an interagency committee on the prevention of underage drinking and issue an
annual report summarizing all Federal agency activities concerning this issue,
including key surveillance data and progress being made in reducing underage
drinking.
The conferees direct the Secretary to take immediate steps to implement these
recommendations. In addition, the conferees direct the Secretary, in
coordination with agencies such as SAMHSA and NIAAA, to prepare a plan for
combating underage drinking, including the projected costs and next steps to be
taken, and report progress on such a plan 90 days after enactment of this Act.
(Page 801)
Action taken or to be taken
SAMHSA will establish an interagency committee on the prevention of underage
drinking, and issue an annual report summarizing all Federal agency activities
concerning this issue, including key surveillance data and progress being made
in reducing underage drinking. SAMHSA will also, in coordination with NIAAA,
prepare a plan for combating underage drinking, including the projected costs
and next steps to be taken, and report progress on such a plan 90 days after
the enactment of the Act.
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