ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING |
SUBJECT: |
Amendments to Part 822 Regulations Proposed by OASAS |
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PURPOSE: |
To determine the impact of the proposed regulations on the provision of chemical dependence treatment in New York Sate |
Assembly Hearing Room
Tuesday, |
The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) is charged with overseeing the statewide system of chemical dependence and gambling treatment agencies. The Office licenses, funds, and supervises chemical dependence treatment programs, and inspects and monitors these programs to guarantee quality of care and to ensure compliance with state and national standards. In order to facilitate the oversight and supervision of the agencies under its purview, New York State Mental Hygiene Law authorizes the Commissioner of OASAS to adopt standards including necessary rules and regulations pertaining to chemical dependence services. Recently, OASAS proposed extensive amendments to Part 822 of Title 14 NYCRR, relating to chemical dependence outpatient services. The proposed regulations address in part issues related to the use of Medicaid to fund chemical dependence treatment, and determining what constitutes appropriate levels of care for persons receiving treatment. The breadth and complexity of the proposed amendments to the OASAS Part 822 operating regulations have generated a great deal of discussion among the agencies that would be affected if these regulations were to be adopted. Questions have arisen from within the treatment community as to whether the proposed amendments appropriately balance the clinical care of patients with the need for cost savings and sensible Medicaid reform. According to OASAS, these amendments will result in less Medicaid fraud and abuse. In light of the grave concerns about the amended regulations voiced by chemical dependence treatment providers, as well as the State's growing Medicaid burden, an extended discussion of this matter seems appropriate at this time. As part of its ongoing oversight of OASAS and of the agencies OASAS regulates, the Assembly Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will convene a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the OASAS Part 822 operating regulations. The hearing will provide a forum for all relevant parties to be heard in regard to the regulations, and will allow a large volume of public comment to be made available to OASAS during a single, public event. Please see below for a list of subjects to which witnesses may direct their testimony, and for a description of the bills which will be discussed at the hearing. Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation. Oral testimony will be limited to 5 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible. In the absence of a request, witnesses will be scheduled in the order in which reply forms are postmarked. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities. |
Jeffrey Dinowitz |
SELECTED ISSUES TO WHICH WITNESSES MAY DIRECT THEIR TESTIMONY:
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PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Amendments To Part 822 Regulations Proposed By OASAS are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it to:
Bill Eggler |
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I plan to attend the following public hearing on Amendments To Part 822 Regulations Proposed By OASAS to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism And Drug Abause on November 21, 2006. | |
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I plan to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 5 of minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement. | |
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I will address my remarks to the following subjects: |
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I do not plan to attend the above hearing. | |
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I would like to be added to the Committee mailing list for notices and reports. | |
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I would like to be removed from the Committee mailing list. | |
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