By Jessica McCann, MPH
January is National Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month, and here at Weitzman we’re celebrating the role community health centers play in connecting patients and communities with necessary treatment, in addition to fulfilling their role delivering high-quality medical, dental, and mental health care. This month’s blog highlights successes as well as policies and programs that facilitate access to substance use disorder treatments in community health centers.
For Patients
Substance use disorder (SUD) disproportionately affects individuals with lower incomes, while these same individuals, along with other underserved populations, historically face barriers to SUD treatment. In 2024, over 32 million patients accessed care at federally-supported community health centers, making them the health care home for one in seven Americans, many of whom are disproportionately affected by SUD or barriers to SUD treatment or other care. Over 300,000 patients received SUD treatment at health centers in 2024, a six percent increase since 2020–uniquely positioning health centers to offer innovative SUD treatments to underserved populations. According to a 2024 report from the Commonwealth Fund, 66% of health centers offer some sort of SUD treatment with about 62% offering medication for substance use disorders. At health centers, these medications typically include buprenorphine or naltrexone for opioid or alcohol use disorders, though some health centers may also offer methadone for opioid use disorder. Offering medication for SUD enables patients (who may otherwise not have to access this care) benefit, as research shows that, in the health center setting, medication can increase treatment adherence and improve outcomes. The series Integrating Medications for Opioid Use Disorder at FQHCs from the Center for Health Care Strategies offers case studies and guidance on implementing medication treatment in the health center setting.
Health centers have also pioneered the use of telehealth for all aspects of care, including mental health services and SUD treatment. Over 98% of health centers reported offering telemedicine services in 2024, with over 61% of these health centers offering SUD treatment via telehealth, further reducing barriers like transportation and caretaking responsibilities. Moreover, health centers have a proven track record of successfully implementing peer support services for patients in SUD recovery. Peer providers, also known as peer supporters or peer recovery coaches, bring lived experience along with specialized training to their roles as “informational, emotional, social, and/or practical” supporters of individuals in recovery. Peer support is associated with improved outcomes, including treatment retention and satisfaction and reduced relapse rates, though research quantifying these benefits is ongoing.
For Providers
Health centers also strive to keep clinicians and other staff trained on SUD treatment best practices and emerging solutions. Beyond traditional in-house staff trainings, health centers and organizations that support them (e.g., state and regional primary care associations, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded initiatives, etc.) have pioneered innovative and cost-effective educational programs. The Weitzman Institute, established by the Moses/Weitzman Health System as a research, policy, and education center, is involved in the two programs described below. First, as a HRSA Telehealth Technology-Enabled Learning Program awardee, Weitzman offers an ECHO series that connects primary care medical and behavioral health providers to tackle topics like Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health. The program uses the Project ECHO model which involves shared case studies, expert consultation, and multidisciplinary perspectives on best practices, integrated models, and personalized care. Among other educational offerings, Weitzman also created and currently facilitates a training program and community of practice solely dedicated to “treating substance use disorders with an integrated care approach.” Another Weitzman project, the Weitzman Science to Practice: Alcohol Use Disorder initiative, offers a journal club that enables busy clinicians to discuss evidence-based treatments outlined in the latest scientific literature.
——————————————————————————–
While health centers clearly connect underserved populations with much-needed SUD treatments, challenges persist. Many health centers have funded SUD treatment and other behavioral health initiatives using Medicaid expansion dollars, yet programmatic cuts, stricter reporting, and work requirements may make these funds less viable options. Moreover, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently canceled the grants many health centers use to offer SUD treatment. While these cancellations were overturned the following day, organizations serving people with SUD remain on edge.
Health centers are exploring other creative options to fund SUD treatment. While many are leveraging private foundation funds, advocates and policymakers are encouraging health centers to apply for settlement funds from opioid lawsuits. See the State Opioid Settlement Spending Decisions database from the National Academy for State Health Policy for current information. Additionally, many states’ Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funds are slated to be allocated to SUD treatment. For more information on how your state is using their Rural Health Transformation Program funds, see the KFF RHTP Tracker, which also includes links to current state plans.
Many health centers also engage community partners to best serve patients with SUD. VIP Community Services, a health center located in the Bronx, NY, works with local housing, employment, and other supportive agencies to best serve patients and enable successful recovery. El Dorado Community Health Centers in east-central California sits on the county Coalition for Overdose Prevention and Education and works closely with local medical centers, other health centers, and the county health department to provide medication treatment, peer services, and a host of other SUD services. The Center for Health Care Strategies document mentioned above outlines several of these community partnerships.
While the current funding and policy landscapes are evolving, health centers are still working this National SUD Treatment Month and beyond to provide best treatment options for patients. Learn more about community health centers on the National Association for Community Health Centers website, or search HRSA’s Find a Health Center tool to find a center near you.