ASAM Applauds the Introduction of the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act

On August 30, ASAM and 20 other members of the Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose (CSOO) submitted a letter in support of H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. By ending the use of utilization control policies that lead to delays in care, H.R. 3925 would take a key step in combating the opioid overdose epidemic.

Read the letter here.