National Advocacy
Modernize and Standardize It: Delivery of Addiction Care
There are many misconceptions about the disease of addiction, and a culture change is needed in this country to drive patients to the treatment options that have proven to be effective at reducing overdose deaths and supporting patients in remission and recovery. ASAM advocates for policy reforms that expand access to effective treatments; the use of nationally recognized guidelines and standards for addiction treatment; and the dissemination of competency-based addiction education for all healthcare professionals.
National Initiatives
Modernizing Federal Law That Governs Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
In 2024, ASAM will focus federal advocacy efforts on H.R. 1359 and S. 644 to modernize federal law to authorize the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to issue special registrations for physicians who are board-certified in addiction medicine and/or addiction psychiatry, who could then use their clinical expertise in prescribing methadone for OUD treatment that could be dispensed from community pharmacies, subject to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) rules/guidance on supply of methadone for unsupervised use.
Modernizing 42 CFR Part 2
ASAM works to reform 42 CFR Part 2 to ensure that patient privacy is protected and clinicians are not subject onerous administrative burdens that delay or prevent the delivery of care.
Providing Medicare Coverage for Adult Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment
In 2024, ASAM will focus federal advocacy efforts on providing Medicare coverage for residential substance use disorder treatment services by residential treatment programs that can meet adult residential provider standards in The ASAM Criteria.
Recent Success
On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (the “CAA 2023”) into law. Section 1262 of the CAA 2023 eliminates the requirement that a healthcare practitioner apply for a separate waiver through the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to dispense controlled medications in Schedule III, IV and V of the Controlled Substances Act (e.g., buprenorphine) for substance use disorder treatment. Under Section 1263 of the CAA 2023, effective as of 180 days after enactment, controlled medication prescribers will be required to receive education on treating and managing patients with substance use disorder upon their first application or renewal of their DEA license. Of note, a physician who holds a board certification in addiction psychiatry or addiction medicine from the American Board of Medical Specialties, a board certification from the American Board of Addiction Medicine, or a board certification in addiction medicine from the American Osteopathic Association meets the training requirement set forth in Section 1263 of the CAA 2023. Click here for updates.
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