Iowa Health Department Will Request Funds to Treat Uninsured Substance Abusers
The Iowa Department of Public Health plans to request an extra $1 million in its fiscal year 2002 budget to provide substance abuse treatment for between 445 and 1,500 uninsured state residents, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reports. Janet Zwick of the department said that the additional funds will help "cut down on waiting lists." As of now Iowans wait an average of seven days for treatment, while some wait "a couple of months." Last year, 37,000 Iowans, including those not relying on state-funded treatment, were treated for substance abuse. The department's request represents a 57% increase over the $1.8 million in state funds appropriated for substance abuse treatment last year (Ruger, Cedar Rapids Gazette, 11/9).
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