AHA-supported bill would improve access to opioid use disorder treatment

The AHA yesterday voiced support for the Opioid Treatment Access Act (H.R. 6279), bipartisan legislation that would take steps to facilitate patients’ access to methadone treatment for opioid use disorder. The bill would direct the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to study the impact of certain flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency to enhance access to methadone treatment services and reduce stigma; allow patients to receive one-month supplies of methadone after two years of continuous treatment; permit pharmacies to dispense methadone; and codify regulations that allow opioid treatment programs to operate mobile medication components without separate registration.