Pubdate: Thu, 10 Apr 2003 Source: Tennessean, The (TN) Copyright: 2003 The Tennessean Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447 Author: Bonna de la CRUZ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) PANEL OKS GIVING METHADONE FUNDS TO EPILEPSY AID Shift Restores Money Cut For Budget Drug addicts receiving methadone treatments should be less of a state priority than programs helping epileptics, said members of a Senate panel reviewing the state Health Department budget yesterday. Members voted to shift $186,500 from TennCare's methadone program to restore that amount to the Epilepsy Foundation, which was cut as part of Gov. Phil Bredesen's belt-tightening measures. With that change, members of the Senate General Welfare Committee approved the Health Department's $424.7 million budget. The budget still must get approval in the Senate Finance Committee and in the House, as well. Methadone, often given in clinics as a drink that looks like punch, provides a "fix" to help wean addicts from their drug of choice, often prescription painkillers but also heroin. Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, who initially targeted the methadone money, said he is not sure the state should be spending any amount on methadone treatment, saying all it does is "keep drug addicts happy." Senators were more concerned about the Health Department's proposal to wipe out all state funding - about $205,000 - to four Epilepsy Foundations, including one in Middle Tennessee. Through research and educational programs at the foundations, about 100 epilepsy-related hospitalizations are prevented each year with savings to individuals and communities of about $550,000, said Sen. Curtis Person, R-Memphis. He sponsored an amendment, which was passed, that would trim the epilepsy funds by 9.5%, along the lines of the 9% cuts imposed by Bredesen statewide. Health Commissioner Kenneth Robinson defended the epilepsy cut in a tough budget year, saying the foundations have received state funding for 25 years and can survive with money they get outside the state appropriation. For example, the Middle Tennessee foundation has an annual budget of $197,000, of which 39% comes from the state, Robinson said. He also defended methadone clinics as proven and appropriate ways to treat drug addicts. Robinson said that addicts can be back at work and living productively while on methadone and that they are less likely to commit crimes, which creates societal cost savings. The state does not run any methadone clinics, but the Health Department regulates six clinics, said Assistant Commissioner Dr. Stephanie Perry, who oversees the Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services. For every dollar spent on treatment, the return on investment is between $4 and $7, she said. TennCare expects to spend about $3.5 million this year to reimburse enrollees for methadone treatment. TennCare imposes a $30,000 lifetime limit on substance abuse services. Sen. David Fowler, R-Signal Mountain, said the program is attracting drug addicts from out of state and that it does not have proper controls because addicts are not screened to ensure that they are drug-free. TennCare officials said a $186,500 cut to the program would result in a loss of $338,100 in federal funds, for a total of $524,600 cut from the program, TennCare spokeswoman Lola Potter said. The state would have to decide whether it wants to cut down on who gets treated or how many treatments they can get, she said. Those decisions would require a change with the "waiver" that the state has with the federal government that authorizes TennCare. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager