A partial fix to the heroin epidemic is already on the law books

Twenty-four United States Senators have signed a letter urging government agencies to fully implement a law that was passed seven years ago. The point of it, to get more medical insurance coverage for  addiction and mental problems.

The idea behind the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was to make insurance coverage for addiction and mental health problems consistent with traditional coverage for physical problems, such as heart attacks  or broken bones.     

Although  the law was passed in 2008, that still hasn’t happened. Partly because of that health officials say those who need treatment  aren’t getting it.

“Only one out of ten people that are qualified for addictions treatment receive that treatment, only one out of ten,” said John Winslow, some one in long-term recovery and program director for Dorchester County’s addiction program.

Winslow see’s and knows first hand the benefits of treatment.    

Right now Winslow says the toughest thing to do for Maryland residents is get in-house residential services.    

Those seeking treatment for detoxification Winslow said are currently sitting on waiting list that are backed up,in some cases,  four weeks.

Unfortunately, Winslow said it’s taken a nationwide heroin epidemic to get politicians to follow up on this law seven years later.

Winslow tells 47 ABC even more attention needs to be brought to this matter, that’s why he encourages anyone who has experienced trouble getting coverage for their addiction or mental health problems to contact their representatives.    

Because as Winslow puts it, if the law were to “get some teeth – people would be able to get access to treatment on demand, as they needed it, when they needed it.”