Donnelly Praises Continuation of HIP 2.0 as Opportunity to Increase Substance Abuse Treatment Services

Indianapolis, Ind. – U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved Indiana’s Medicaid waiver extension application. The waiver extends Indiana’s HIP 2.0 through December 2020, and today’s approval from HHS will allow Indiana to enhance HIP 2.0 with up to $80 million in annual federal funding to support efforts to address the opioid crisis. This funding will allow the state to provide new substance abuse treatment services through the program, including inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment and recovery services. HIP 2.0 is made possible by the Affordable Care Act. Donnelly, in a letter last year, called on HHS to approve Indiana’s waiver. 

Donnelly said, “I’m pleased that today’s announcement will ensure that hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers can continue to access health care coverage through HIP 2.0, which was made possible by the Affordable Care Act. In addition, this action will allow Indiana to expand substance abuse treatment services, which will help in our continued fight against the opioid abuse epidemic.” 

Donnelly has been an advocate for HIP 2.0 since he worked with then-Governor Pence to establish the program, which expanded Indiana’s Medicaid program. It’s a program that is a critical component of Indiana’s effort to fight the opioid epidemic.