{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Kentucky is one of only seven states that does not offer substance abuse treatment in its Medicaid program. Stephen Hall, the commissioner of the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, says the average cost of intensive outpatient drug addiction services is about $2,500, and an adult who is not treated costs the taxpayers more than $23,000 in prison and other costs. Hall testified Monday before a House budget subcommittee on health and human services. The expansion of the state's drug addiction services in the Medicaid program is one of several new spending items Governor Steve Beshear has proposed in his two-year budget. Beshear is asking for $11.6 million in the first year of the budget to serve about 4,500 people. He is asking for $14.9 million in the second year of the budget to serve an additional 1,300 people. He says expanding drug treatment is the key to tackling the state's drug epidemic.
