ASAM provided its comments on proposed changes to regulations under the Federal anti-kickback statute (AKS).

The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 1865) Expands Funding for an Addiction Treatment Workforce That Is Currently Insufficient Given Addiction Epidemic in US.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) state and local health departments, and other clinical and public health partners are investigating a national outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). As of December 10, 2019, a total of 2,409 hospitalized EVALI cases have been reported to CDC from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands). Fifty-two deaths have been confirmed in 26 states and the District of Columbia.

ASAM, in collaboration with the AMA and APA published an “Enhanced Attestation” form that payers and regulators can use to increase compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).

ASAM attended the Graduate Medical Education Advocacy Coalition's Day of Action to advocate for passage of the Opioid Workforce Act and expanded training opportunities for the addiction treatment workforce.

ASAM submitted a letter of support for the proposal by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to add ICD-10-CM codes for synthetic cannabinoid use and poisoning.

ASAM's letter focuses on federal policy efforts needed to further strengthen safety and care quality for patients with addiction in health systems that provide care to rural and underserved populations.

Legislation to Expand the Addiction Treatment Workforce Would Create 1,000 Additional Residency Positions Over Five-Year Period