HHS urged to release 42 CFR Part 2 rule

Members of the Partnership to Amend 42 CFR Part 2, including the AHA, today urged the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a rule as soon as possible on the Part 2 provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Safety Act.

The CARES Act directs the agency to revise any pertinent regulations to implement the provisions, which ease Part 2 written consent requirements and align the regulations with HIPAA to make it easier for health care providers to coordinate care for patients with substance use disorders.

“Given the longstanding nature of the issue, compounded with the potential for increase in SUDs during the current pandemic, it is more important than ever that the roadblocks to providing care for patients with SUDs are removed,” the coalition wrote. “We believe the recent changes to Part 2 in the CARES Act will greatly help in coordinating care for patients with SUDs.”