By JASON GREENBERG
Congressman Brian Higgins welcomed the White House announcement of a final rule expanding access to medication-assisted treatment for those suffering from opioid addiction, measures similar to those proposed in Higgins’ bill, the TREAT (The Recovery Enhancement for Addiction Treatment) Act H.R.2536.
Buprenorphine is a drug proven to help wean those addicted to opioids off of harmful substances. Currently over 800,000 physicians can write controlled substance prescriptions, but only about 33,000 can prescribe medication, like buprenorphine, used to treat addiction. The number of people health professionals can help shrinks even further when you consider prescribers are limited to treating just 30 patients in the first year, and up to 100 in year two and beyond, with adequate certification.
This week the Administration announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will issue a final rule increasing the number of patients qualified health care providers can treat from 100 to 275. The goal of increased access to medication-assisted opioid addiction treatment is a major component of Higgins’ TREAT Act, which aims to eliminate the patient cap entirely and also expand prescribing authority to qualified Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners. The expanded treatment program, for eligible prescribers, authorized by HHS will go into effect in August.
“Action announced today will open new doors to treatment for individuals and families struggling to beat addiction,” said Higgins.
Expansion of medication-assisted treatment is just one of several actions aimed at addressing the epidemic outlined by the White House. Another key component of the package is improved prescriber education to provide guidance and help medical professionals make informed decisions when prescribing addictive substances.
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