CEO Update 114
HHS Sets New OUD Target in ‘Healthy People 2030’ Public Health Plan
The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) this week released Healthy People 2030, the federal government’s 10-year plan to address the nation’s most critical public health priorities and problems.
In it, HHS features 355 core, or “measurable,” objectives with 10-year targets, including one to reduce the proportion of persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) in the past year. Specifically, the plan notes a baseline of 0.7% of persons aged 12 years and older who reported an OUD (heroin or prescription pain reliever) in the 12 months of 2018. Healthy People 2030 sets a new target of 0.5%.
A federal advisory committee of 13 external leaders and a workgroup of subject matter experts from more than 20 federal agencies contributed to Health People 2030, which also incorporated public comments during the development process.
EEOC Releases Guidance for Healthcare Providers to Help Opioid Patients Stay Employed
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released a fact sheet to help explain the healthcare provider’s role under the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 when a patient who uses opioids needs a reasonable accommodation or when questions surface about a patient’s ability to perform a job safely.
As the EEOC noted in its announcement, this information is not new; instead, it applies to principles established in the 30-year-old law and previously issued guidance. The new publication is meant to provide clarity under all existing requirements.
In the publication, the EEOC recommends medical documentation be written using plain language that explains the provider’s professional qualifications and details regarding the nature and length of the relationship with the employee; the nature of the employee’s medical condition; the extent to which the employee’s opioid use would limit a “major life activity” (such as walking, lifting, sleeping, or concentrating) without treatment; the need for reasonable accommodation; and suggested accommodations “without overstating the need for any one particular accommodation in case an alternative is necessary.”
Click here to learn more.
NABH Participates in CMS Stakeholder Listening Session
NABH members and staff participated in a call about OUD during the public health emergency with leaders of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) this week.
Kimberly Brandt, principal deputy administrator for policy and operations at CMS, hosted the call and NABH President and CEO Shawn Coughlin represented the association. Joe Pritchard, CEO of Pinnacle Treatment Centers, and Greg Marotta, CEO of CleanSlate, also participated. During the call, CMS reviewed previous Trump administration activities and asked stakeholders to comment on outstanding issues related to expanding access to treatment for individuals with opioid use disorders.
The topics discussed included streamlining provider credentialing, collaborating with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on telemedicine rules, making all Covid telehealth flexibilities permanent; permitting methadone induction through telehealth, supporting state licensure reciprocity, covering services for incarcerated individuals prior to reentering the community, covering contingency management as an evidence-based practice for individuals with stimulant disorders, and targeting specific funds to behavioral healthcare providers.
For more information, please contact Sarah Wattenberg, NABH’s director of quality and addiction treatment services.
Atrium Health’s Behavioral Health to Host Webinar on Virtual Care Model Next Week
NABH member Atrium Health’s Behavioral Health will host the first webinar in its series “Delivering Behavioral Health Services in a Pandemic Environment” next Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. ET.
The webinar, Transitioning Outpatient Services to a Virtual Care Model, is open to all. Click here to join the meeting.
Looking Ahead: September is Suicide Prevention Month
The National Action Alliance (Action Alliance) for Suicide Prevention has developed several resources to help build awareness about suicide prevention during Suicide Prevention Month in September.
To help in the effort, please see the Action Alliance’s #BeThere activities and use the hashtag #BeThere to educate your organization’s social media followers. In addition, the group has scheduled a #BeThere Twitter chat on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. ET and will host National AI/AN Hope for Life Day on Sept. 10. That event falls during Suicide Prevention Week, which is Sept. 6-12.
Click here for the Hope for Life Day toolkit and visit the Action Alliance’s #BeThere webpage for more information. #BeThere activities and created a Hope for Life Day toolkit.
Fact of the Week
Among U.S. adults aged 18 and older, 5.1% engaged in heavy drinking, or the consumption of an average of more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week for men or more than 7 drinks per week for women.
For questions or comments about this CEO Update, please contact Jessica Zigmond.