Explanation
BACKGROUND: In order to effectively provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), an evidenced-based practice that combines pharmacological interventions with substance abuse counseling and social support, Columbus Public Health (CPH) Addiction Services (ADS) Program is in need of specialized Advanced Practice Nurse and Physician services. This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into a contract with the Ohio State University Hospitals (OSU), in the amount of $50,000.00, for the period December 1, 2018 through November 30, 2019. The contract compliance number is 311340739. This contractor is a non profit organization and is exempt from certification.
“Opioid overdoses cause one death every 20 minutes. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), a combination of psychosocial therapy and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medication, is the most effective intervention to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and is more effective than either behavioral interventions or medication alone. MAT significantly reduces illicit opioid use compared with nondrug approaches, and increased access to these therapies can reduce overdose fatalities. However, MAT is often unavailable to those in need of it because of inadequate funding for treatment programs and a lack of qualified providers who can deliver these therapies.” Pew Charitable Trust November 2016.
Over the last several years it has become evident that opioid use disorder clients treated in the CPH ADS program have had difficulty in accessing affordable and reliable medication-assisted treatment. Additionally, many of the clients cite transportation as a concern to accessing MAT services. These clients have expressed interest in receiving MAT services at the CPH ADS program as a compliment to the existing services they are receiving.
Emergency action is requested in order to provide MAT services for patients at Columbus Public Health Addiction Services Program.
FISCAL IMPACT: $50,000.00 is budgeted in the Health Special Revenue Fund for MAT services for Columbus Public Health Addiction Services.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with The Ohio State University Hospitals (OSU) for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services for the Columbus Public Health Addiction Services Program; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 from the Health Special Revenue Fund to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health has a need for specialized MAT services to manage patients in the Columbus Public Health Addiction Services Program; and
WHEREAS, OSU can provide said services and have the expertise required to manage patients in the Columbus Public Health Addiction Services Program; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to contract with OSU for specialized MAT services in order to ensure MAT services for patients of the Columbus Public Health Addiction Services Program, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract with The Ohio State University Hospitals for MAT services for the Columbus Public Health Addiction Services Program for the period of December 1, 2018 through November 30, 2019.
SECTION 2. That, to pay the costs of said contract, the expenditure of $50,000.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Special Revenue Fund, Fund No. 2250, per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.