May 30, 2018
Today the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced, in a press release, that it is investigating call aggregators as they focus on ethical problems with some addiction treatment providers. Letters requesting detailed information regarding business practices were sent to eight entities known to aggregate calls from individuals seeking substance use disorder treatment.
NAATP has been working with the House Committee for months. We have met with committee staff numerous times and a prominent NAATP member CEO testified at one on their public hearings. We support efforts by Congress to identify and address ethical and quality issues in the field. This investigation undertaken by Congress on a bi-partisan basis, is welcomed by NAATP leadership. The Association has received considerable attention since the enhanced ethics policy for NAATP members has been implemented.
According to the Committee, “the letters are the latest step in the committee’s ongoing bipartisan investigation into patient brokering, the practice of individuals serving as intermediaries and profiting from the recruitment of patients seeking treatment for addiction. Reports about such behavior have shone a spotlight on vulnerable patients being wooed by free rent or manicures, while patient brokers receive financial kickbacks.”
Letters were sent to: Addiction No More, Addiction Recovery Now, American Addiction Centers, Elite Rehab Placement, Intervention Allies, Redwood Recovery Center, Solutions Recovery Center, and Treatment Management Company.
The Committee went on to say that, “those battling addiction deserve a safe and dependable environment when seeking treatment.” The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers agrees and we will continue to work with Congress as they address this critical issue to achieve the goal of access to quality treatment for anyone with substance use disorder.
Mark Dunn
NAATP Director of Public Policy
Washington, DC
