Senators Hassan, Justice Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate Delays in Accessing Gold Standard Addiction Treatment

The No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act Would Remove Bureaucratic Barriers to Life-Saving Medication

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Jim Justice (R-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to help ensure that people who are struggling with addiction can access life-saving medication-assisted treatment (MAT) – the gold standard of addiction care – without dangerous delays. The No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act would eliminate prior authorization requirements for people with Medicaid coverage who need medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, removing a bureaucratic barrier that can leave patients waiting days to fill their prescriptions when every moment counts.

“The fentanyl crisis continues to devastate communities in New Hampshire and across the country, and when someone takes the courageous step to seek treatment, bureaucratic red tape should not stand in their way,” said Senator Maggie Hassan. “Medication-assisted treatment is the gold standard for treating opioid use disorder, and this commonsense bipartisan bill will help ensure that people grappling with addiction have immediate access to this evidence-based, life-saving medication. I am grateful for Senator Justice’s partnership on this bipartisan effort to remove barriers to treatment and help save lives.”

“When someone asks for help, the answer shouldn’t be a stack of paperwork. This legislation cuts through the red tape and puts lifesaving addiction treatment where it belongs — in the hands of doctors for patients that need them. The No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act is commonsense, protects our families, and gives West Virginians and Americans a second chance at life,” said Senator Jim Justice.

Under current law, many patients who seek treatment and receive a prescription for MAT are forced to wait days for Medicaid to authorize payment, drawing out the window during which they remain at high risk for deadly overdose. This bipartisan bill requires that:

• All state Medicaid programs cover at least one formulation of each FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder without prior authorization, including long-acting injectable options when available.

• The Medicaid and CHIP Payment Advisory Commission issue a report to Congress examining how states use utilization management controls – such as dosing limits, age restrictions, counseling requirements, or psychological screening – for MAT, and how these controls may burden clinicians. The report must also identify other state or federal Medicaid policies that hinder access to treatment.

Organizations that support the No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act include: American Society of Addiction Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, Mental Health America, Partnership to End Addiction, Zero Overdose, Legal Action Center, Opioid Prevention Initiative, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Inseparable, Big Cities Health Coalition, and American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists.

“In the aftermath of a non-fatal overdose, every minute counts. Paperwork can be deadly. We are grateful to Senators Hassan and Justice for leading on a commonsense fix that ensures Medicaid coverage works the way it was intended, with timely access to proven medications when it matters most.” – Libby Jones, Associate Vice President, Overdose Prevention Initiative at the Global Health Advocacy Incubator

“Delayed access to opioid use disorder treatment caused by prior authorization can have dangerous and deadly consequences. Americans with opioid use disorder deserve timely access to lifesaving medications, which is why ASAM proudly supports the No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act. This bill recognizes that every minute counts in addiction care by reducing burdensome prior authorizations in Medicaid on FDA-approved medications that treat addiction and save lives.” – Stephen M. Taylor, MD, MPH, President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)

“As emergency physicians on the frontline of the opioid and substance use disorder crisis, we see firsthand how every bit of red tape is an impediment for our patients on their path to recovery. The No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act will ensure that burdensome prior authorization processes or dosage limitations do not prevent patients from accessing the safe, effective, and proven treatments they need through the Medicaid program. ACEP thanks Senators Hassan and Justice for their leadership in the continued effort to combat the opioid epidemic.” – L. Anthony Cirillo, MD, FACEP, President of the American College of Emergency Physicians

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