SUD Crisis

Best practices on substance use disorders (SUDs) and the workplace should be developed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Department of Labor (DOL), federal partners, large employers, employee assistance programs, and recovery support organizations.[1]

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) should ensure all Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) offer Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (MAUD), as well as wraparound and counseling services (together with medications often referred to as Medication-Assisted Treatment, or MAT).[1] Additionally, Congress should pass the Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act, to award planning grants to States to support the development of State infrastructure, such as technology and the physical structures necessary to physically co-locate integrated mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) care services, including prevention and early intervention services.[2][3]

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should encourage the use of the Patient-centered Opioid Addiction Treatment (P-COAT) alternative payment model, which is designed to improve outcomes and reduce spending for opioid addiction by using three bundled payments: 1) Patient Assessment and Treatment Planning bundle; 2) Initiation of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) bundle; and 3) Maintenance of MAT bundle.[1]

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should incorporate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain into the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for the Medicare and Medicaid programs and require all prescribers associated with Medicare Part D plans to take training on pain prescribing that follows the guidelines.[1]

Congress should increase appropriations for the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program established by 34 U.S.C. § 10421 and amend 34 U.S.C. § 10422 so grant awards are contingent upon the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT).[1]

The Department of Justice (DOJ) should establish federal requirements for the trauma-informed care and treatment of pregnant prisoners or prisoners who are primary caretakers with mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUD). Congress should provide whatever additional authority the Department needs to establish such requirements.[1][2]