Drug Abuse and Alcohol Abuse Both President Obama and Mitt Romney don’t agree about much; however, both of them agree that reducing the Federal deficit is a priority. One piece of this puzzle may be to address the cost of substance abuse in the United States. Annually, the cost of Substance abuse is estimated at $467 billion dollars or roughly 10% of the Federal budget in 2005.
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia TM), recently reported that although evidence-based treatments for drug addiction and alcoholism exist, most patients do not receive these treatments. For example, the report indicates that less than 10% of people with drug dependence or alcoholism receive any form of treatment for the disease. As recognized by Drug Treatment Centers Florida and in light of the fact that over 70% of individuals receive treatment for diseases such as high blood pressure, major depression and diabetes, drug dependence and alcoholism is the “dirty-little secret” that society sweeps under the rug; however, the mere financial costs are extraordinary. The CASA study estimates that the consequences of drug dependence and alcoholism cost every person in the United States $1500.00 per year.
In the United States, the greatest expenditure of spending by the government as it relates to risky substance abuse and the disease of addiction are in the area of crime and health care. CASA found that over 30% of inpatient hospitalization expenditures are a result of risky drug use and the disease of addiction. Moreover, Drug treatment centers Florida, drug treatment Florida and Outpatient drug rehab agrees and the report indicates, that in the United States, over 80% of all prison inmates are there as a result of substance-involved offenses and over 60% of these individuals meet the DSM IV criteria for addiction and dependence. Moreover, this equates to roughly $25,000 per year to incarcerate individuals with a treatable disease and as a direct result of a treatable disease.
Regardless of whether you support President Obama or Mitt Romney, I believe it is hard for either of them to not agree that we are missing an opportunity to reduce expenditures by effectively treating drug dependence and alcoholism. Rather than ignoring the problem and dealing with the financial consequences thereafter, why aren’t we proactive (as we are with other diseases) and deal with effective treatments before it costs over 400 billion a year?
Obama-Care Benefits Substance Abuse Recovery: Discrimination of Drug Addicts and Alcoholics Delivered a Huge Blow
Drug Treatment Florida and Drug and alcohol rehab Florida reported that in June of 2012, the Supreme Court voted to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA); thus, in terms of addiction, alcoholism and drug dependence, insurers are no longer permitted to hold people hostage who suffer from this disease. Individuals suffering from drug dependence and alcoholism now have a choice of where they receive treatment, whereas before, no choice existed. By way of example, I received a call from a woman who wanted treatment immediately and was unable to obtain insurance. My recommendation was that she seeks out state funded treatment. Good luck! Have you ever tried to do this?
More than 13 million American non-elderly adults have been denied insurance specifically because of their medical conditions, according to the Commonwealth Fund and reported by outpatient drug rehab and Outpatient drug treatment Florida. The Kaiser Family Foundation says 21% of people who apply for health insurance on their own get turned down, are charged a higher price, or offered a plan that excludes coverage for their pre-existing condition.
In short, those with substance abuse and mental health issues, previously prevented from obtaining adequate care, can expect the following:
Prior to receiving treatment for my alcoholism and drug dependence, I had full health insurance benefits. After, I was unable to attain coverage in the state of Florida, even if my pre-existing condition was excluded. I was flat out denied coverage by every insurance company, including the high-risk pool in Florida, because the high-risk pool had been closed for 5 years. To obtain coverage, I was forced to move my residency to Missouri (where I owned a home) and then, I was only permitted to obtain coverage from the high-risk pool at a cost of $750.00 per month. Also, note, this policy had a lifetime cap of $1,000,000.00.
What would a person who didn’t have the means to pay $750.00 per month do? The answer, they would be prevented from having health insurance and thus, face total financial ruin in the event of a medical catastrophe. Outpatient rehab Florida, drug & alcohol treatment strongly disagrees with any attempt to repeal Obama Care.
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia TM), recently reported that although evidence-based treatments for drug addiction and alcoholism exist, most patients do not receive these treatments. For example, the report indicates that less than 10% of people with drug dependence or alcoholism receive any form of treatment for the disease. As recognized by Drug Treatment Centers Florida and in light of the fact that over 70% of individuals receive treatment for diseases such as high blood pressure, major depression and diabetes, drug dependence and alcoholism is the “dirty-little secret” that society sweeps under the rug; however, the mere financial costs are extraordinary. The CASA study estimates that the consequences of drug dependence and alcoholism cost every person in the United States $1500.00 per year.
In the United States, the greatest expenditure of spending by the government as it relates to risky substance abuse and the disease of addiction are in the area of crime and health care. CASA found that over 30% of inpatient hospitalization expenditures are a result of risky drug use and the disease of addiction. Moreover, Drug treatment centers Florida, drug treatment Florida and Outpatient drug rehab agrees and the report indicates, that in the United States, over 80% of all prison inmates are there as a result of substance-involved offenses and over 60% of these individuals meet the DSM IV criteria for addiction and dependence. Moreover, this equates to roughly $25,000 per year to incarcerate individuals with a treatable disease and as a direct result of a treatable disease.
Regardless of whether you support President Obama or Mitt Romney, I believe it is hard for either of them to not agree that we are missing an opportunity to reduce expenditures by effectively treating drug dependence and alcoholism. Rather than ignoring the problem and dealing with the financial consequences thereafter, why aren’t we proactive (as we are with other diseases) and deal with effective treatments before it costs over 400 billion a year?
Obama-Care Benefits Substance Abuse Recovery: Discrimination of Drug Addicts and Alcoholics Delivered a Huge Blow
Drug Treatment Florida and Drug and alcohol rehab Florida reported that in June of 2012, the Supreme Court voted to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA); thus, in terms of addiction, alcoholism and drug dependence, insurers are no longer permitted to hold people hostage who suffer from this disease. Individuals suffering from drug dependence and alcoholism now have a choice of where they receive treatment, whereas before, no choice existed. By way of example, I received a call from a woman who wanted treatment immediately and was unable to obtain insurance. My recommendation was that she seeks out state funded treatment. Good luck! Have you ever tried to do this?
More than 13 million American non-elderly adults have been denied insurance specifically because of their medical conditions, according to the Commonwealth Fund and reported by outpatient drug rehab and Outpatient drug treatment Florida. The Kaiser Family Foundation says 21% of people who apply for health insurance on their own get turned down, are charged a higher price, or offered a plan that excludes coverage for their pre-existing condition.
In short, those with substance abuse and mental health issues, previously prevented from obtaining adequate care, can expect the following:
- Insurers must cover those with pre-existing conditions;
- Children under age 19 can no longer have limited benefits or be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition;
- In 2014, it will be illegal for insurance companies to utilize pre-existing conditions to exclude, limit or set outrageous rates on insurance coverage;
- The Affordable Care Act requires that all health care plans have a basic benefits package that cover mental health and substance abuse disorders;
- All plans in the health insurance exchange must adhere to the provisions of the Wellstone/Domenici Parity Act that requires mental health and substance abuse benefits be provided in the same way as all other medical and surgical benefits;
Prior to receiving treatment for my alcoholism and drug dependence, I had full health insurance benefits. After, I was unable to attain coverage in the state of Florida, even if my pre-existing condition was excluded. I was flat out denied coverage by every insurance company, including the high-risk pool in Florida, because the high-risk pool had been closed for 5 years. To obtain coverage, I was forced to move my residency to Missouri (where I owned a home) and then, I was only permitted to obtain coverage from the high-risk pool at a cost of $750.00 per month. Also, note, this policy had a lifetime cap of $1,000,000.00.
What would a person who didn’t have the means to pay $750.00 per month do? The answer, they would be prevented from having health insurance and thus, face total financial ruin in the event of a medical catastrophe. Outpatient rehab Florida, drug & alcohol treatment strongly disagrees with any attempt to repeal Obama Care.
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