Managed Health Services donates $1,000 to help save lives in heroin overdoses

MILWAUKEE, March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Managed Health Services, one of the oldest Medicaid HMOs in Wisconsin, will donate $1,000 to the Racine County Sheriff's Department in support of a program to provide deputies with an antidote for heroin overdoses that they can carry with them in their squad cars.

Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling wants every deputy to carry the heroin antidote Narcan on patrol so they can administer the drug as a nasal spray when they are called to the scene of a heroin overdose. The Sheriff's Department responded to nearly a dozen heroin overdoses last year. Sheriff Schmaling believes the plan to allow deputies to administer Narcan, which still must be approved by Gov. Scott Walker, will save lives.

"We are very grateful for this generous donation and are extraordinarily proud to partner with Managed Health Services in combating the devastating effects heroin has on those who use it – and their families," said Schmaling.

"We are making this donation because it's the right thing to do for our community," said Sherry Husa, MHS president and CEO. "This donation may help save the lives of some of our members, as well as others in Racine County."

About Managed Health Services
Managed Health Services, founded in 1984, is an HMO that provides coverage for Wisconsin beneficiaries in BadgerCare Plus, SSI and Medicare Advantage. MHS' Medicaid plan is accredited through the NCQA.  MHS, through its parent company, Centene, also offers specialty services including behavioral health, life and health management, managed vision, telehealth services and pharmacy benefits management.  For more information, visit www.mhswi.com.

SOURCE Managed Health Services