Feds To Ease Regulations Affecting Access To Opioid Addiction Treatment

The federal omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2023 includes a provision to increase access to treatment for opioid use disorder. The bill, signed on December 23, 2022, directs the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to revise opioid treatment program (OTP) admission rules within 18 months to remove a requirement that the applicant must have used opioids for at least one year. This change is anticipated to increase the number of people served by OTPs.

Another section of the omnibus expands prescribers’ ability to prescribe buprenorphine. Previously, before prescribing buprenorphine, health care professionals were required to complete . . .