CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) issued this statement today regarding approval for the state of West Virginia to expand coverage for those diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Under Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Section 1115 waiver, West Virginia will now cover methadone and naloxone, a drug to reverse overdoses, through Medicaid. The waiver will also enhance the availability of detoxification, withdrawal management, medically-assisted therapy and peer-recovery support. Senator Capito worked directly with CMS Administrator Seema Verma to deliver this waiver for West Virginia.
“States need flexibility to customize their Medicaid programs, and, in West Virginia’s case, we need to direct resources to address our state’s deadly opioid epidemic. Thanks to CMS Administrator Verma for heeding my calls and working with me to approve West Virginia’s request for this waiver. With it, those who are suffering from addiction will now have access to expanded services,” said Senator Capito.
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