Medication-Assisted Treatment Drug Reimbursement Pilot Program.

Existing law consolidated within the State Department of Health Care Services all substance use disorder functions and programs, including the duties to review and execute contracts for drug and alcohol services submitted for funds allocated or administered by the department, to review and license narcotic treatment programs, and to develop and implement, in partnership with the counties, alcohol and other drug prevention strategies. Existing law requires licensed narcotic treatment programs to use specified narcotic replacement therapy and medication-assisted treatment, including buprenorphine products and methadone, in the treatment of addicted persons. This bill would, contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act, require the department to establish a 3-year pilot program for the City and County of San Francisco that meets specified requirements, including that the City and County of San Francisco has an identified substance use disorder treatment program in its jail system, to receive funding to support medication-assisted treatment, including methadone, of eligible inmates confined in the city and county jail. The bill would require the City and County of San Francisco, as a pilot program participant, to provide an annual report to the department that addresses specified matters, including the number of persons participating in the jail system's medication-assisted treatment program. The bill would require the department to submit, by July 1, 2023, to the Legislature an evaluation of the pilot program and the outcomes achieved. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the City and County of San Francisco.