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 introduces a new section, 20-77-154, which outlines the legislative findings that highlight the significance of substance use disorder as a public health issue and the necessity of inpatient treatment as part of comprehensive care. The findings also note that current funding primarily comes from federal block grants and that expanding Medicaid coverage could enhance access to care and improve patient outcomes.

To facilitate this expansion, the Department is required to develop and submit a waiver application that allows for coverage of inpatient treatment in facilities classified as institutions for mental diseases. The application must also aim to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, improve care coordination for beneficiaries, and create intensive outpatient services to reduce the need for inpatient care. Additionally, the Department is tasked with consulting relevant stakeholders during the waiver application process, implementing the approved services, and providing annual reports to the General Assembly on the waiver's status and outcomes.