To Whom It May Concern,
Subject: SUPPORT FOR AB 1779 – Alcoholism and drug abuse recovery and treatment programs: inducement of participants
I am writing to express my support for AB 1779, which addresses predatory recruitment practices in California's substance use disorder (SUD) treatment system.
Some licensed laboratories, treatment facilities, and recovery programs offer financial incentives—cash, stipends, gift cards, or transportation perks—to recruit, retain, or transfer people seeking recovery. These inducements drive patient brokering and insurance-billing schemes. AB 1779 would prohibit remuneration offered to influence a person's decision to enter, remain in, or transfer between programs, to secure referrals, or to increase insurance-funded billing.
The bill also adds transparency to transportation assistance. Providers would have to furnish round-trip tickets, get written acknowledgment that transportation is not tied to insurance benefits or program participation, document the purpose and cost of that assistance, publish aggregated data annually, and retain records for at least five years.
AB 1779 ensures treatment decisions are based on clinical need rather than financial inducement, while preserving providers' ability to share educational and community resource information. I urge your support for AB 1779.