The bill mandates the Arkansas Department of Human Services to seek a waiver from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to expand coverage for inpatient treatment services for substance use disorders under the Arkansas Medicaid Program. It emphasizes the significance of substance use disorder as a public health issue and recognizes inpatient treatment as a crucial part of comprehensive care. The bill outlines the necessity for the waiver application to include provisions for coverage in facilities classified as institutions for mental diseases, enhance access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, improve care coordination, and develop intensive outpatient services to minimize the need for inpatient care.

Additionally, the Department of Human Services is required to consult with relevant stakeholders, including treatment providers and advocacy groups, while developing the waiver application. The bill also mandates the implementation of expanded services as approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and requires the Department to report annually to the General Assembly on the waiver application status, implementation progress, and the outcomes of the expanded coverage.