Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Arkansas General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-23. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
1 State of Arkansas A Bill
2 95th General Assembly
3 Regular Session, 2025 HOUSE BILL 1559
4
5 By: Representative McGrew
6 By: Senator J. Boyd
7
8 For An Act To Be Entitled
9 AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO
10 SEEK A WAIVER TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR
11 COVERAGE FOR INPATIENT TREATMENT SERVICES FOR
12 SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
13
14
15 Subtitle
16 TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
17 SERVICES TO SEEK A WAIVER TO THE
18 ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR COVERAGE
19 FOR INPATIENT TREATMENT SERVICES FOR
20 SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.
21
22 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
23
24 SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 20, Chapter 77, Subchapter 1, is
25 amended to add an additional section to read as follows:
26 20-77-154. Inpatient treatment for substance use disorder --
27 Legislative findings.
28 (a) The General Assembly finds that:
29 (1) Substance use disorder is a significant public health
30 concern in this state;
31 (2) Inpatient treatment for substance use disorders is an
32 essential component of comprehensive care;
33 (3) Currently, inpatient treatment for substance use disorder is
34 primarily funded through federal block grants; and
35 (4) Expanding coverage in the Arkansas Medicaid Program for
36 inpatient treatment for substance use disorder could improve access to care
*JMB396* 02/21/2025 11:23:46 AM JMB396
HB1559
1 and patient outcomes in this state.
2 (b) The Department of Human Services shall:
3 (1)(A) Develop and submit an application to the Centers of
4 Medicare & Medicaid Services for a demonstration waiver under section 1115 of
5 the Social Security Act, as in effect January 1, 2025, for exclusion of
6 institutions for mental diseases for inpatient treatment services of
7 substance use disorder within the program.
8 (B) The application described in subdivision (b)(1)(A) of
9 this section shall:
10 (i) Allow coverage for inpatient treatment of
11 substance use disorder in facilities that qualify as institutions for mental
12 diseases;
13 (ii) Expand access to medication-assisted treatment
14 for opioid use disorder;
15 (iii) Improve care coordination for beneficiaries
16 with substance use disorder; and
17 (iv) Develop intensive outpatient services designed
18 to reduce the need for inpatient treatment services;
19 (2) Consult with relevant stakeholders, including substance use
20 disorder treatment providers, patient advocacy groups, and behavioral health
21 experts in developing the waiver application described in subdivision
22 (b)(1)(A) of this section;
23 (3) Implement expanded coverage and services as authorized and
24 approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and
25 (4) Report annually to the General Assembly on the status of the
26 waiver application described under subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section, the
27 implementation progress, and outcomes of the expanded coverage.
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
2 02/21/2025 11:23:46 AM JMB396Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.