Longleaf Recovery and Wellness, with facilities in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Baldwin County, has applied for a State Health Plan adjustment to add 60 new substance use treatment beds in Shelby County – a county that currently has no residential addiction treatment facilities.
The expansion would establish 10 detox beds and 50 residential treatment beds in their continued effort to address Alabama’s growing addiction crisis.
But Bradford Health Services, which has long controlled the residential addiction treatment market in Alabama, is fighting the proposal, arguing that no new facilities are needed – even as state health officials acknowledge a severe shortage of substance use treatment beds statewide.
Longleaf Recovery & Wellness is poised to bring its comprehensive and compassionate approach to substance use and mental health treatment to Shelby County. Drawing from the success of its existing centers, Longleaf’s planned facility aims to provide top-tier, individualized care that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.
The company can also point to a wide range of endorsements from officials who have sounded the alarm in recent years over the state’s ability to treat mental health issues, primarily, addiction.
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell, along with local and regional addiction recovery experts, have voiced support for increasing treatment capacity.
“The Alabama State Health Plan identifies Substance Use Disorder as a Health Priority for Alabama,” Ainsworth wrote in a letter supporting the proposal. “Substance abuse and overdose challenge the already strained resources of our healthcare and law enforcement personnel. I fully support this effort and encourage swift adoption of Longleaf’s proposed plan.”
However, in a formal filing with the Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC), Bradford Health Services argues that Longleaf’s proposal is premature, contradicts state policy, and lacks credible evidence of need.
“The proposed countywide plan adjustment is inconsistent with the statewide need methodology for substance use services,” Bradford states. “There is no need for additional substance use beds, as evidenced by the SHP.”
“There is no need for additional substance use beds, as Bradford has adequate capacity to meet any existing needs and serves patients from Shelby County.”
The company claims that its existing facilities can handle the demand, despite state data showing an unmet need for hundreds of additional treatment beds.
Bradford’s filing does not dispute Alabama’s substance use crisis but instead insists that the current system – one in which it dominates – should not change.
Longleaf, in its filing, points out that Shelby County residents seeking inpatient care must either leave the county or find treatment in an already overburdened system.
Bradford’s opposition hinges on a simple argument: Keep things the way they are. The company reports a 56% occupancy rate statewide, meaning nearly half of its licensed beds are sitting empty.
On Tuesday, the Statewide Health Coordinating Council will review Longleaf’s proposal and Bradford’s opposition before making a final decision on the plan adjustment.
If approved, Longleaf would still need to obtain a Certificate of Need (CON) from state regulators before moving forward with development.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
