The Affordable Care Act must be amended to provide for a minimum of 90 days inpatient drug or alcohol treatment up to a maximum of 180 days per year at a facility certified to provide such care…”
Every day in this country 119 people die from drug overdose, and another 6,748 are treated in emergency rooms. That averages out to an overdose related hospitalization every 13 seconds and an overdose death every 13 minutes. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, outstripping traffic fatalities or gun homicides. And every year it gets worse.
The petition was started by a mother, who’s son Anthony died May 31, 2014, following a six year battle with opioid and heroin addiction that included three unsuccessful short term treatment programs, each lasting less than 30 days, which was all that insurance would pay for.
Research tells us that effective inpatient treatment leads to long term sobriety and fewer relapses. Ninety (90) day residential drug rehab is suggested as the minimum length of time for effective treatment. In fact, a long-term stay at a drug rehab facility can decrease the risk of drug addiction relapse by up to 73%. That can mean the difference between addiction and recovery—or even life and death.
Please consider going to MoveOn.Org to sign the petition. It could save the life of someone you love.
With Gratitude,
Mark Kloster
Alumni Coordinator
