Legislation targets recovery gaps as Virginia drug cases climb

(The Center Square) – Virginia hospitals are treating more patients for drug use disorder each year, as new federal legislation aims to expand peer recovery programs nationwide, according to new data from the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association.

The legislation, introduced this week by U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Jim Banks, R-Ind., would boost access to certified peer support specialists—individuals “with lived experiences” in recovery—by removing employment barriers and expanding training programs.

The Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery (PEER) Support Act also aims to strengthen the profession’s recognition.

The number of Virginians hospitalized with drug use disorder has risen more than 11% over the past five years, from 57,925 patient discharges in 2020 to 64,460 in 2024, according to VHHA’s analysis of inpatient records.

The data also shows the majority of these hospitalizations—more than 51%—were patients covered by Medicaid, with smaller shares involving Medicare recipients (18.3%) and those with private insurance (12.6%).

- Advertisement -

Hospitals in Richmond (6.9%), Fairfax County (5.6%), Henrico County (4.6%), Norfolk (4.4%) and Virginia Beach (4.4%) reported the highest volumes of patients discharged with drug use disorder diagnoses, according to the analysis.

More than one in four of these hospitalizations involved a secondary diagnosis of mental illness, with 21% also involving drug or alcohol-induced mental disorders, the data shows.

Supporters of the federal legislation say peer recovery specialists, or those who lived through addiction recovery themselves, can help fill workforce gaps, reduce relapse and build trust with patients navigating treatment.

“Peer support specialists play an important role in mental health and substance use disorder treatment teams, and provide valuable support to individuals in recovery,” Kaine said in a statement. “At a time where we need to expand access to mental health care and substance use disorder treatment, this bipartisan legislation is critical to helping peer support specialists enter the field.”

A review of international studies reported a “reduction in psychiatric hospital admissions of 14% for participants receiving peer support compared with those receiving care as usual,” though researchers noted the sample size was limited and called for more high-quality trials.

“The reintroduction of the PEER Support Act is a critical step toward addressing the shortage of behavioral health workers in this country,” said Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action, which backs expanding peer support and recovery.

- Advertisement -

The PEER Support Act has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, awaiting a hearing. A similar version of this bill was introduced in previous years but stalled without a vote.

Virginia is no exception to the workforce crisis. Nearly 40% of the commonwealth’s licensed behavioral health professionals are at or nearing retirement age, and 93 of Virginia’s 133 localities are classified as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas, according to the Virginia Health Care Foundation. Two million Virginians live in those areas, and dozens of communities have no licensed behavioral health provider.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Chief: ICE hallway arrests at Milwaukee courthouse allowed

(The Center Square) – Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has...

Increasing use of emergency clause in bills has some Washington lawmakers worried

(The Center Square) – With Washington state Gov. Bob...

Poll: School choice support defies partisanship in Pennsylvania

(The Center Square) – A recent poll suggests that...

New York GOP headquarters defaced with Nazi imagery

(The Center Square) — The New York state Republican...

Illinois bill seeks to raise minimum arrest age for minors

(The Center Square) – State Rep. La Shawn Ford,...

State education leader encourages cellphone policy by lawmakers

(The Center Square) – North Carolina needs a statewide...

Bill to increase sheriffs’ cooperation on immigration passes House

(The Center Square) – With one vote from Democrats...

Poll: Voters support cutting DEI, foreign aid spending, but not Medicaid, military

American taxpayers are divided on federal spending and whether...

More like this
Related

Chief: ICE hallway arrests at Milwaukee courthouse allowed

(The Center Square) – Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has...

Increasing use of emergency clause in bills has some Washington lawmakers worried

(The Center Square) – With Washington state Gov. Bob...

Poll: School choice support defies partisanship in Pennsylvania

(The Center Square) – A recent poll suggests that...

New York GOP headquarters defaced with Nazi imagery

(The Center Square) — The New York state Republican...