AUGUSTA — The Maine House has approved a bill to extend MaineCare coverage for certain drug addiction treatments to more than two years.

The House gave final approval to the bill on Wednesday.

It allows for the continuation of MaineCare coverage for methadone and Suboxone if a person is pregnant, has serious and persistent mental illness or lives with a young child.

Suboxone and methadone treat addictions to heroin and similar drugs. Maine currently has a two-year cap on coverage for such treatment.

Supporters say that putting a limit on the treatment puts patients at risk for relapse. The measure faces a final vote in the Senate.

Lawmakers are pushing through a slew of legislation as they plan to the end the 2013 session on Wednesday.


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