Reminder to Show Your Support for the RCPA Letter Urging an End to the Budget Impasse
RCPA Drafts Letter to Urge Ending the Budget Impasse, Seeks Support From Members
PA to Receive $83 Million in State Opioid Response Funding
Pennsylvania will receive more than $83 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in State Opioid Response (SOR) grant funding, which provides critical resources to states and Tribal communities to address the overdose crisis through prevention, opioid overdose reversal medications, treatment (including medications for opioid use disorder [MOUD]) and recovery support. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through SAMHSA, announced a total allocation of more than $1.5 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 continuation funding for SOR and Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grants, with $1.48 billion committed to SOR and nearly $63 million committed to TOR.
This most recent round of funding is the second year of the three-year SOR IV grant cycle, which began October 1, 2024, and runs through September 30, 2027. The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) manages and distributes SOR funding, which comprises a significant percentage of DDAP’s annual budget.
Since the SOR program began in 2018, states report that nearly 1.3 million people have received treatment services, including more than 650,000 who received MOUD. Through the SOR program, nearly 1.5 million people have received recovery support services. SAMHSA grantees reported distributing more than 10 million opioid overdose reversal kits, with opioid overdose reversal medications being used to reverse more than 550,000 overdoses. Since the TOR program began in 2018, Tribes report that approximately 16,500 patients have received treatment services, and SAMHSA grantees reported distributing more than 116,500 naloxone kits, with opioid reversal medications being used to reverse more than 1,750 overdoses.
AATOD to Host Free Webinar in Ongoing Effort to Support OTPs In Complying With Updated Regulations
The American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) is hosting a free webinar from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Wednesday, September 24, on states’ and treatment providers’ response to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s updated regulations governing opioid treatment programs (OTP). The updated regulations, in place since October 2024, are intended to increase accessibility to and flexibility within OTPs, including methadone treatment for opioid use disorder.
Registration for the webinar is required.
The webinar builds on the July 2025 presentation that provided guidance to OTPs on the updated regulations. Presenters will share how states and treatment providers are complying with the regulations and how patients have benefited through increased access, retention, and treatment flexibility.
The discussion will serve as a prelude to AATOD’s policy discussions at the upcoming national conference in Philadelphia, October 4 – 8, 2025.
The webinar will also be available on-demand via the AATOD website. Certificates of Attendance will be provided upon request. For questions, email AATOD.
Public Comment Sought On SUPTRS Block Grant Application
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is providing the opportunity for public comment on the Pennsylvania Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services (SUPTRS) Block Grant application. This application will occur in three parts:
- Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Assessment and Plan
- SUPTRS Report (available in November)
- Annual Synar Report (available in December)
The application documents can be accessed through SAMHSA’s Web Block Grant Application System (WebBGAS) using the login “citizenpa” and password “citizen.”
Please submit your comments by Tuesday, September 30.
Unclear How Much PA Stands to Gain From Feds’ $50 Billion Rural Hospital Program
RCPA & State Partners Send Letter to PA Congressional Delegation, Urge Extension of EPTCs
RCPA, as part of a statewide provider and association coalition, has sent a letter to the PA Congressional Delegation regarding the extension of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit (EPTC). The coalition urges Congress to move quickly to pass legislation extending EPTCs that make marketplace plans more affordable for people who purchase their own health insurance; these are set to expire at the end of 2025.
If EPTCs are not extended, an estimated 270,000 Pennsylvanians are likely to become uninsured. Pennsylvania taxpayers end up paying for their care in one way or another because uninsured people are often forced to delay or avoid care for treatable conditions. They ultimately end up sicker and require more expensive care in hospitals, which leads to higher, uncompensated care costs for both hospitals and providers. In addition, they acquire medical debt and experience health complications that can jeopardize their employment or employability.
Read the letter here. If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp.
RCPA Federal and State Telehealth Update — Sept. 18, 2025
National Council Shares SAMHSA’s Strategic Priorities
OMHSAS Certified Recovery Specialist Stakeholder Survey
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is inviting Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) Professionals, CRS Supervisors, CRS Providers, Primary Contractors, Behavioral Health Managed Care Organizations (BH-MCOs), County Mental Health Representatives, and Single County Authorities (SCAs) to give feedback on providing Medicaid services through Certified Recovery Specialists.
Stakeholders who will not have an opportunity to join us on a virtual listening session are encouraged to complete this survey to provide feedback. The survey will remain open until Friday, October 10, 2025. We encourage stakeholders to complete the survey well before October 10, so your feedback is received in a timely manner. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Barry Decker or Kathy Nichols.
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