Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act

S.800/H.R 4870 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 1956/S. 1986 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2021 H.R. 2067/S. 2235 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act S. 987 - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 3.0 H.R. 1319 - American Rescue Plan Act [Public Law No: 117-2] H.R. 1716 - COVID-19 Mental Health Research Act H.R. 1195 - the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act S. 54 - Strengthening Americas Health Care Readiness Act H.R. 851/S. 246 - the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act H.R. 959/S.346 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 H.R. 1384 - the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2021 H.R. 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act of 2021 H.R. 1025 - the Kids Access to Primary Care Act of 2021 S. 1315/H.R. 3630 - the Lymphedema Treatment Act S. 1833 - the Ensuring Access to Primary Care for Women & Children Act H.R. 3550 - the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2021 S. 1512/H.R. 2903 - the CONNECT for Health Act of 2021 S. 287/H.R. 945 - the Perinatal Workforce Act S. 1536/H.R. 3108 - the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2021 H.R. 1667/S. 610 - the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act H.R. 736 - the Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act of 2021 H.R. 3087/S. 2051 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act H.R. 6000 - the Cures 2.0 Act S. 2652/H.R. 5067 - the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act S. 3149/H.R. 5848 - the Rural Health Equity Act H.R. 6308 - the ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2021 H.R. 5248 - the Temporary Responders for Immediate Aid in Grave Emergencies (TRIAGE) Act of 2021 H.R. 5376 - the Build Back Better Act H.R.3925 - the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act S. Res. 626 and H. Res. 1100 - honoring and recognizing May 6 through 12, 2022 as National Nurses Week S.3098/H.R. 7617 - Preventive Care Awareness Act S.4182 - the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act H.R. 7236 - the Strengthen Kids Mental Health Now Act of 2022 H.R. 2376 - the Excellence in Recovery Housing Act H.R. 4944 - the Helping Kids Cope Act of 2021 H.R. 5218 - the Collaborate in an Orderly and Cohesive Manner Act H.R. 7076 - the Supporting Childrens Mental Health Care Access Act of 2022 H.R. 7232 - the 9-8-8 and Parity Assistance Act of 2022 H.R.7666 - Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022 S.4170 - the Mental Health Reform Reauthorization Act Replenish the COVID-19 Uninsured Relief Fund Nursing faculty shortage Nursing Education Use of telehealth to prescribe controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 [Public Law No: 110-425] Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Medicare sequestration Medicare restrictions pertaining to telehealth Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all National Public Health Plans Provide resources to support nurses, APRNs, and nursing students mental health needs, especially for those responding to the pandemic Funding to ensure childcare coverage Increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding to states Access to personal protective equipment Extension of CMS waivers beyond public health emergency Skilled Nursing Facility admitting examination and assessment requirements COVID-19 Pandemic relief: funding, removal of barriers, telehealth, mental health, personal protective equipment, and testing Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology COVID-19 Pandemic Reducing Regulatory Burdens, including those relating to home infusion therapy, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and hospice certification Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Opioid Abuse Epidemic Documentation of medical records Health plan coverage and program requirements including provider non-discrimination Issues relating to Mental and Substance Use Disorder Workforce Addressing Health Equity Medicare Provider Reimbursement Clinical labor pricing update

Client expense: $181,696 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, White House Office

S.800/H.R. 4870 - the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 1956/S. 1986 - the Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2021 S. 987 - the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 3.0 H.R. 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act of 2021 H.R. 1025 - the Kids Access to Primary Care Act of 2021 S. 1315/H.R. 3630 - the Lymphedema Treatment Act S. 1833 - the Ensuring Access to Primary Care for Women & Children Act S. 1512/H.R. 2903 - the CONNECT for Health Act of 2021 S. 1536/H.R. 3108 - the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2021 H.R. 5376 - the Build Back Better Act H.R. 6308 - the ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2021 H.R.3925 - the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act H.R. 7236 - the Strengthen Kids Mental Health Now Act of 2022 H.R.7666 - Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022 S.4170 - the Mental Health Reform Reauthorization Act Nursing Education Use of telehealth to prescribe controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 [Public Law No: 110-425] Increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding to states Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement. Medicare sequestration Medicare restrictions pertaining to telehealth Extension of CMS waivers beyond public health emergency Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act COVID-19 Pandemic relief: funding, removal of barriers, telehealth, mental health, personal protective equipment, and testing Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing Regulatory Burdens, including those relating to home infusion therapy, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and hospice certification Expanded Medicare benefit provisions related to NPs Addressing Health Equity Medicare Provider Reimbursement Clinical labor pricing update

S.800/H.R. 4870 - the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 1956/S. 1986 - the Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2021 S. 987 - the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 3.0 H.R. 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act of 2021 H.R. 1025 - the Kids Access to Primary Care Act of 2021 S. 1315/H.R. 3630 - the Lymphedema Treatment Act S. 1833 - the Ensuring Access to Primary Care for Women & Children Act S. 1512/H.R. 2903 - the CONNECT for Health Act of 2021 S. 1536/H.R. 3108 - the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2021 H.R. 5376 - the Build Back Better Act H.R. 6308 - the ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2021 H.R.3925 - the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act Use of telehealth to prescribe controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 [Public Law No: 110-425] Increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding to states Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement. Medicare sequestration Medicare restrictions pertaining to telehealth Extension of CMS waivers beyond public health emergency Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act COVID-19 Pandemic relief: funding, removal of barriers, telehealth, mental health, personal protective equipment, and testing Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing Regulatory Burdens, including those relating to home infusion therapy, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and hospice certification Expanded Medicare benefit provisions related to NPs Addressing Health Equity Medicare Provider Reimbursement Clinical labor pricing update

Client expense: $207,243 · Firm income: Not reported

S.800/H.R 4870 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 1956/S. 1986 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2021 H.R. 2067/S. 2235 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act S. 987 - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 3.0 H.R. 1319 - American Rescue Plan Act [Public Law No: 117-2] H.R. 1716 - COVID-19 Mental Health Research Act H.R. 1195 - the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act S. 54 - Strengthening Americas Health Care Readiness Act H.R. 851/S. 246 - the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act H.R. 959 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 H.R. 1384 - the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2021 H.R. 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act of 2021 H.R. 1025 - the Kids Access to Primary Care Act of 2021 S. 1315/H.R. 3630 - the Lymphedema Treatment Act S. 1833 - the Ensuring Access to Primary Care for Women & Children Act H.R. 3550 - the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2021 S. 1512/H.R. 2903 - the CONNECT for Health Act of 2021 S. 287/H.R. 945 - the Perinatal Workforce Act S. 1536/H.R. 3108 - the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2021 H.R. 1667/S. 610 - the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act H.R. 736 - the Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act of 2021 H.R. 3087/S. 2051 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act H.R. 6000 - the Cures 2.0 Act S. 2652/H.R. 5067 - the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act S. 3149/H.R. 5848 - the Rural Health Equity Act H.R. 6308 - the ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2021 H.R. 5248 - the Temporary Responders for Immediate Aid in Grave Emergencies (TRIAGE) Act of 2021 H.R. 5376 - the Build Back Better Act H.R.3925 - the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act Use of telehealth to prescribe controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 [Public Law No: 110-425] Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Medicare sequestration Medicare restrictions pertaining to telehealth Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all National Public Health Plans Provide resources to support nurses, APRNs, and nursing students mental health needs, especially for those responding to the pandemic Funding to ensure childcare coverage Increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding to states Access to personal protective equipment Extension of CMS waivers beyond public health emergency Skilled Nursing Facility admitting examination and assessment requirements COVID-19 Pandemic relief: funding, removal of barriers, telehealth, mental health, personal protective equipment, and testing Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology COVID-19 Pandemic Reducing Regulatory Burdens, including those relating to home infusion therapy, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and hospice certification Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Opioid Abuse Epidemic Documentation of medical records Health plan coverage and program requirements including provider non-discrimination Issues relating to Mental and Substance Use Disorder Workforce Addressing Health Equity Medicare Provider Reimbursement Clinical labor pricing update

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings. Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates. Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels. Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA. Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers. Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes. Joined advocacy coalition letter to Chairman Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Mike Crapo of the Senate Committee on Finance, encouraging full extension of federal mental health and substance use disorder parity protections to Medicare, all of Medicaid, and TRICARE. Sent Congressional letter recommending closer coordination among relevant federal agencies, greater integration between primary care and behavioral health reimbursement, and robust funding for the addiction treatment workforce-- such as the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. ASAM also expressed support for legislation to ensure state compliance with mental health and addiction parity law and codification of audio-video telehealth prescribing flexibilities for the treatment of substance use disorder. Finally, ASAM called on federal legislators to consider new and promising strategies like contingency management Advocated for addiction-related provisions in the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) that would increase access to comprehensive, high-quality addiction care in ways that reduce racial, ethnic, and economic disparities, and make important investments in the addiction medicine workforce. Sent letter to the FDA responding to their request for feedback in reevaluating the voluntary status of the Opioid Analgesics (OA) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. Currently, FDA is considering extending the REMS program to become a mandatory course for all opioid prescribers. Urged against FDA making the REMS program mandatory for all opioid prescribers and identified other strategies to expand provider education more effectively. Primarily, ASAM emphasized the importance of the concurrent passage of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act (S 2235/HR 2067) and the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act (S 445/HR 1384). Advocated for the HR 6279, the Opioid Treatment Access Act that would allow for broader access to methadone for opioid use disorder, including through measured expansion of prescribing/pharmacy dispensing. Joined coalition letter urging reconsideration of the requirements in the Interim Final Rule (IFR), entitled Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II, 86 Fed. Reg. 55,980 (Oct. 7, 2021), implementing the No Surprises Act (NSA) that directs Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) entities to consider the qualifying payment amount (QPA) a rebuttable presumptive reasonable payment for out-of-network physicians engaging in the IDR process. Joined coalition letter urging inclusion of provisions in the Administration's budget request for FY 23 that expand the Administrations efforts to reduce tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Urged inclusion of the field of addiction medicine in reauthorizations of several SAMHSA programs as well as conveyed ways to improve clinician access to relevant addiction medicine education

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings. Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates. Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels. Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA. Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers. Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes. Joined advocacy coalition letter to Chairman Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Mike Crapo of the Senate Committee on Finance, encouraging full extension of federal mental health and substance use disorder parity protections to Medicare, all of Medicaid, and TRICARE. Sent Congressional letter recommending closer coordination among relevant federal agencies, greater integration between primary care and behavioral health reimbursement, and robust funding for the addiction treatment workforce-- such as the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. ASAM also expressed support for legislation to ensure state compliance with mental health and addiction parity law and codification of audio-video telehealth prescribing flexibilities for the treatment of substance use disorder. Finally, ASAM called on federal legislators to consider new and promising strategies like contingency management Advocated for addiction-related provisions in the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) that would increase access to comprehensive, high-quality addiction care in ways that reduce racial, ethnic, and economic disparities, and make important investments in the addiction medicine workforce. Sent letter to the FDA responding to their request for feedback in reevaluating the voluntary status of the Opioid Analgesics (OA) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. Currently, FDA is considering extending the REMS program to become a mandatory course for all opioid prescribers. Urged against FDA making the REMS program mandatory for all opioid prescribers and identified other strategies to expand provider education more effectively. Primarily, ASAM emphasized the importance of the concurrent passage of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act (S 2235/HR 2067) and the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act (S 445/HR 1384). Advocated for the HR 6279, the Opioid Treatment Access Act that would allow for broader access to methadone for opioid use disorder, including through measured expansion of prescribing/pharmacy dispensing. Joined coalition letter urging reconsideration of the requirements in the Interim Final Rule (IFR), entitled Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II, 86 Fed. Reg. 55,980 (Oct. 7, 2021), implementing the No Surprises Act (NSA) that directs Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) entities to consider the qualifying payment amount (QPA) a rebuttable presumptive reasonable payment for out-of-network physicians engaging in the IDR process. Joined coalition letter urging inclusion of provisions in the Administration's budget request for FY 23 that expand the Administrations efforts to reduce tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Urged inclusion of the field of addiction medicine in reauthorizations of several SAMHSA programs as well as conveyed ways to improve clinician access to relevant addiction medicine education

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings. Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates. Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels. Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA. Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers. Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes. Joined advocacy coalition letter to Chairman Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Mike Crapo of the Senate Committee on Finance, encouraging full extension of federal mental health and substance use disorder parity protections to Medicare, all of Medicaid, and TRICARE. Sent Congressional letter recommending closer coordination among relevant federal agencies, greater integration between primary care and behavioral health reimbursement, and robust funding for the addiction treatment workforce-- such as the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. ASAM also expressed support for legislation to ensure state compliance with mental health and addiction parity law and codification of audio-video telehealth prescribing flexibilities for the treatment of substance use disorder. Finally, ASAM called on federal legislators to consider new and promising strategies like contingency management Advocated for addiction-related provisions in the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) that would increase access to comprehensive, high-quality addiction care in ways that reduce racial, ethnic, and economic disparities, and make important investments in the addiction medicine workforce. Sent letter to the FDA responding to their request for feedback in reevaluating the voluntary status of the Opioid Analgesics (OA) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. Currently, FDA is considering extending the REMS program to become a mandatory course for all opioid prescribers. Urged against FDA making the REMS program mandatory for all opioid prescribers and identified other strategies to expand provider education more effectively. Primarily, ASAM emphasized the importance of the concurrent passage of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act (S 2235/HR 2067) and the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act (S 445/HR 1384). Advocated for the HR 6279, the Opioid Treatment Access Act that would allow for broader access to methadone for opioid use disorder, including through measured expansion of prescribing/pharmacy dispensing. Joined coalition letter urging reconsideration of the requirements in the Interim Final Rule (IFR), entitled Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II, 86 Fed. Reg. 55,980 (Oct. 7, 2021), implementing the No Surprises Act (NSA) that directs Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) entities to consider the qualifying payment amount (QPA) a rebuttable presumptive reasonable payment for out-of-network physicians engaging in the IDR process. Joined coalition letter urging inclusion of provisions in the Administration's budget request for FY 23 that expand the Administrations efforts to reduce tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Urged inclusion of the field of addiction medicine in reauthorizations of several SAMHSA programs as well as conveyed ways to improve clinician access to relevant addiction medicine education

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings. Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates. Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels. Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA. Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers. Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes. Joined advocacy coalition letter to Chairman Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Mike Crapo of the Senate Committee on Finance, encouraging full extension of federal mental health and substance use disorder parity protections to Medicare, all of Medicaid, and TRICARE. Sent Congressional letter recommending closer coordination among relevant federal agencies, greater integration between primary care and behavioral health reimbursement, and robust funding for the addiction treatment workforce-- such as the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. ASAM also expressed support for legislation to ensure state compliance with mental health and addiction parity law and codification of audio-video telehealth prescribing flexibilities for the treatment of substance use disorder. Finally, ASAM called on federal legislators to consider new and promising strategies like contingency management Advocated for addiction-related provisions in the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) that would increase access to comprehensive, high-quality addiction care in ways that reduce racial, ethnic, and economic disparities, and make important investments in the addiction medicine workforce. Sent letter to the FDA responding to their request for feedback in reevaluating the voluntary status of the Opioid Analgesics (OA) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. Currently, FDA is considering extending the REMS program to become a mandatory course for all opioid prescribers. Urged against FDA making the REMS program mandatory for all opioid prescribers and identified other strategies to expand provider education more effectively. Primarily, ASAM emphasized the importance of the concurrent passage of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act (S 2235/HR 2067) and the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act (S 445/HR 1384). Advocated for the HR 6279, the Opioid Treatment Access Act that would allow for broader access to methadone for opioid use disorder, including through measured expansion of prescribing/pharmacy dispensing. Joined coalition letter urging reconsideration of the requirements in the Interim Final Rule (IFR), entitled Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II, 86 Fed. Reg. 55,980 (Oct. 7, 2021), implementing the No Surprises Act (NSA) that directs Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) entities to consider the qualifying payment amount (QPA) a rebuttable presumptive reasonable payment for out-of-network physicians engaging in the IDR process. Joined coalition letter urging inclusion of provisions in the Administration's budget request for FY 23 that expand the Administrations efforts to reduce tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Urged inclusion of the field of addiction medicine in reauthorizations of several SAMHSA programs as well as conveyed ways to improve clinician access to relevant addiction medicine education

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings. Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates. Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels. Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA. Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers. Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes. Joined advocacy coalition letter to Chairman Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Mike Crapo of the Senate Committee on Finance, encouraging full extension of federal mental health and substance use disorder parity protections to Medicare, all of Medicaid, and TRICARE. Sent Congressional letter recommending closer coordination among relevant federal agencies, greater integration between primary care and behavioral health reimbursement, and robust funding for the addiction treatment workforce-- such as the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. ASAM also expressed support for legislation to ensure state compliance with mental health and addiction parity law and codification of audio-video telehealth prescribing flexibilities for the treatment of substance use disorder. Finally, ASAM called on federal legislators to consider new and promising strategies like contingency management Advocated for addiction-related provisions in the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) that would increase access to comprehensive, high-quality addiction care in ways that reduce racial, ethnic, and economic disparities, and make important investments in the addiction medicine workforce. Sent letter to the FDA responding to their request for feedback in reevaluating the voluntary status of the Opioid Analgesics (OA) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. Currently, FDA is considering extending the REMS program to become a mandatory course for all opioid prescribers. Urged against FDA making the REMS program mandatory for all opioid prescribers and identified other strategies to expand provider education more effectively. Primarily, ASAM emphasized the importance of the concurrent passage of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act (S 2235/HR 2067) and the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act (S 445/HR 1384). Advocated for the HR 6279, the Opioid Treatment Access Act that would allow for broader access to methadone for opioid use disorder, including through measured expansion of prescribing/pharmacy dispensing. Joined coalition letter urging reconsideration of the requirements in the Interim Final Rule (IFR), entitled Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II, 86 Fed. Reg. 55,980 (Oct. 7, 2021), implementing the No Surprises Act (NSA) that directs Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) entities to consider the qualifying payment amount (QPA) a rebuttable presumptive reasonable payment for out-of-network physicians engaging in the IDR process. Joined coalition letter urging inclusion of provisions in the Administration's budget request for FY 23 that expand the Administrations efforts to reduce tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Urged inclusion of the field of addiction medicine in reauthorizations of several SAMHSA programs as well as conveyed ways to improve clinician access to relevant addiction medicine education

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings. Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates. Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels. Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA. Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers. Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes. Joined advocacy coalition letter to Chairman Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Mike Crapo of the Senate Committee on Finance, encouraging full extension of federal mental health and substance use disorder parity protections to Medicare, all of Medicaid, and TRICARE. Sent Congressional letter recommending closer coordination among relevant federal agencies, greater integration between primary care and behavioral health reimbursement, and robust funding for the addiction treatment workforce-- such as the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. ASAM also expressed support for legislation to ensure state compliance with mental health and addiction parity law and codification of audio-video telehealth prescribing flexibilities for the treatment of substance use disorder. Finally, ASAM called on federal legislators to consider new and promising strategies like contingency management Advocated for addiction-related provisions in the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) that would increase access to comprehensive, high-quality addiction care in ways that reduce racial, ethnic, and economic disparities, and make important investments in the addiction medicine workforce. Sent letter to the FDA responding to their request for feedback in reevaluating the voluntary status of the Opioid Analgesics (OA) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. Currently, FDA is considering extending the REMS program to become a mandatory course for all opioid prescribers. Urged against FDA making the REMS program mandatory for all opioid prescribers and identified other strategies to expand provider education more effectively. Primarily, ASAM emphasized the importance of the concurrent passage of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act (S 2235/HR 2067) and the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act (S 445/HR 1384). Advocated for the HR 6279, the Opioid Treatment Access Act that would allow for broader access to methadone for opioid use disorder, including through measured expansion of prescribing/pharmacy dispensing. Joined coalition letter urging reconsideration of the requirements in the Interim Final Rule (IFR), entitled Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II, 86 Fed. Reg. 55,980 (Oct. 7, 2021), implementing the No Surprises Act (NSA) that directs Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) entities to consider the qualifying payment amount (QPA) a rebuttable presumptive reasonable payment for out-of-network physicians engaging in the IDR process. Joined coalition letter urging inclusion of provisions in the Administration's budget request for FY 23 that expand the Administrations efforts to reduce tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Urged inclusion of the field of addiction medicine in reauthorizations of several SAMHSA programs as well as conveyed ways to improve clinician access to relevant addiction medicine education

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates; Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels; Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; ; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package Advocated for House Resolution 349, which would support the goals of Overdose Awareness Day by lowering the United States flag to halfstaff on all Federal buildings on August 31st of each year. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers Submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outlining suggested improvements to the proposed Physician Payment Schedule for calendar year (CY) 2022. Among other recommendations, ASAM urged that CMS work with Congress to avoid a 2.5% cut in reimbursements for addiction medicine (ADM), finalize coding and payment rules for take-home naloxone nasal spray, and extend audio-only flexibility for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to furnish therapy and counseling payments for substance use disorder (SUD). Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported nomination of Dr. Rahul Gupta to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), a critical position for coordinating the nations drug policy and response to the nations drug addiction and overdose crisis. Supported the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 2069/H.R. 4323). This legislation would allow for every state and territory the ability to join the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration and would authorize investments in the model for current and prospective CCBHCs. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Advocated for H.R. 2786/ S. 1314, the Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2021, which would increase the federal excise tax on cigarettes and set federal tax rates for other tobacco products at an equivalent level. Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Advocated for passage of the Advancing FASD Research, Services, and Prevention Act (S.2238 and H.R.4151), known as the FASD Respect Act. The legislation would in part reauthorize and strengthen existing federal FASD programs at NIAAA, CDC, and HRSA, and for the first time calls for long-neglected, meaningful support for individuals and families living with FASD. Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) efforts to enhance the exchange of clinical and administrative data through their recommendations to the Secretary but highlighted the important role of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set as serving the needs of a data-driven health system by allowing physicians, patients, researchers, medical groups, allied health care professionals, health systems, hospitals, medical coders, accreditation organizations, payers, and health information technology professionals to easily exchange data on the medical services and procedures provided to patients. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes.

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates; Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels; Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; ; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package Advocated for House Resolution 349, which would support the goals of Overdose Awareness Day by lowering the United States flag to halfstaff on all Federal buildings on August 31st of each year. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers Submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outlining suggested improvements to the proposed Physician Payment Schedule for calendar year (CY) 2022. Among other recommendations, ASAM urged that CMS work with Congress to avoid a 2.5% cut in reimbursements for addiction medicine (ADM), finalize coding and payment rules for take-home naloxone nasal spray, and extend audio-only flexibility for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to furnish therapy and counseling payments for substance use disorder (SUD). Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported nomination of Dr. Rahul Gupta to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), a critical position for coordinating the nations drug policy and response to the nations drug addiction and overdose crisis. Supported the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 2069/H.R. 4323). This legislation would allow for every state and territory the ability to join the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration and would authorize investments in the model for current and prospective CCBHCs. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Advocated for H.R. 2786/ S. 1314, the Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2021, which would increase the federal excise tax on cigarettes and set federal tax rates for other tobacco products at an equivalent level. Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Advocated for passage of the Advancing FASD Research, Services, and Prevention Act (S.2238 and H.R.4151), known as the FASD Respect Act. The legislation would in part reauthorize and strengthen existing federal FASD programs at NIAAA, CDC, and HRSA, and for the first time calls for long-neglected, meaningful support for individuals and families living with FASD. Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) efforts to enhance the exchange of clinical and administrative data through their recommendations to the Secretary but highlighted the important role of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set as serving the needs of a data-driven health system by allowing physicians, patients, researchers, medical groups, allied health care professionals, health systems, hospitals, medical coders, accreditation organizations, payers, and health information technology professionals to easily exchange data on the medical services and procedures provided to patients. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes.

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates; Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels; Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; ; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package Advocated for House Resolution 349, which would support the goals of Overdose Awareness Day by lowering the United States flag to halfstaff on all Federal buildings on August 31st of each year. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers Submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outlining suggested improvements to the proposed Physician Payment Schedule for calendar year (CY) 2022. Among other recommendations, ASAM urged that CMS work with Congress to avoid a 2.5% cut in reimbursements for addiction medicine (ADM), finalize coding and payment rules for take-home naloxone nasal spray, and extend audio-only flexibility for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to furnish therapy and counseling payments for substance use disorder (SUD). Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported nomination of Dr. Rahul Gupta to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), a critical position for coordinating the nations drug policy and response to the nations drug addiction and overdose crisis. Supported the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 2069/H.R. 4323). This legislation would allow for every state and territory the ability to join the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration and would authorize investments in the model for current and prospective CCBHCs. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Advocated for H.R. 2786/ S. 1314, the Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2021, which would increase the federal excise tax on cigarettes and set federal tax rates for other tobacco products at an equivalent level. Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Advocated for passage of the Advancing FASD Research, Services, and Prevention Act (S.2238 and H.R.4151), known as the FASD Respect Act. The legislation would in part reauthorize and strengthen existing federal FASD programs at NIAAA, CDC, and HRSA, and for the first time calls for long-neglected, meaningful support for individuals and families living with FASD. Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) efforts to enhance the exchange of clinical and administrative data through their recommendations to the Secretary but highlighted the important role of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set as serving the needs of a data-driven health system by allowing physicians, patients, researchers, medical groups, allied health care professionals, health systems, hospitals, medical coders, accreditation organizations, payers, and health information technology professionals to easily exchange data on the medical services and procedures provided to patients. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes.

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates; Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels; Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; ; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package Advocated for House Resolution 349, which would support the goals of Overdose Awareness Day by lowering the United States flag to halfstaff on all Federal buildings on August 31st of each year. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers Submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outlining suggested improvements to the proposed Physician Payment Schedule for calendar year (CY) 2022. Among other recommendations, ASAM urged that CMS work with Congress to avoid a 2.5% cut in reimbursements for addiction medicine (ADM), finalize coding and payment rules for take-home naloxone nasal spray, and extend audio-only flexibility for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to furnish therapy and counseling payments for substance use disorder (SUD). Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported nomination of Dr. Rahul Gupta to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), a critical position for coordinating the nations drug policy and response to the nations drug addiction and overdose crisis. Supported the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 2069/H.R. 4323). This legislation would allow for every state and territory the ability to join the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration and would authorize investments in the model for current and prospective CCBHCs. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Advocated for H.R. 2786/ S. 1314, the Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2021, which would increase the federal excise tax on cigarettes and set federal tax rates for other tobacco products at an equivalent level. Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Advocated for passage of the Advancing FASD Research, Services, and Prevention Act (S.2238 and H.R.4151), known as the FASD Respect Act. The legislation would in part reauthorize and strengthen existing federal FASD programs at NIAAA, CDC, and HRSA, and for the first time calls for long-neglected, meaningful support for individuals and families living with FASD. Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) efforts to enhance the exchange of clinical and administrative data through their recommendations to the Secretary but highlighted the important role of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set as serving the needs of a data-driven health system by allowing physicians, patients, researchers, medical groups, allied health care professionals, health systems, hospitals, medical coders, accreditation organizations, payers, and health information technology professionals to easily exchange data on the medical services and procedures provided to patients. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes.

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates; Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels; Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; ; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package Advocated for House Resolution 349, which would support the goals of Overdose Awareness Day by lowering the United States flag to halfstaff on all Federal buildings on August 31st of each year. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers Submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outlining suggested improvements to the proposed Physician Payment Schedule for calendar year (CY) 2022. Among other recommendations, ASAM urged that CMS work with Congress to avoid a 2.5% cut in reimbursements for addiction medicine (ADM), finalize coding and payment rules for take-home naloxone nasal spray, and extend audio-only flexibility for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to furnish therapy and counseling payments for substance use disorder (SUD). Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported nomination of Dr. Rahul Gupta to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), a critical position for coordinating the nations drug policy and response to the nations drug addiction and overdose crisis. Supported the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 2069/H.R. 4323). This legislation would allow for every state and territory the ability to join the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration and would authorize investments in the model for current and prospective CCBHCs. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Advocated for H.R. 2786/ S. 1314, the Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2021, which would increase the federal excise tax on cigarettes and set federal tax rates for other tobacco products at an equivalent level. Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Advocated for passage of the Advancing FASD Research, Services, and Prevention Act (S.2238 and H.R.4151), known as the FASD Respect Act. The legislation would in part reauthorize and strengthen existing federal FASD programs at NIAAA, CDC, and HRSA, and for the first time calls for long-neglected, meaningful support for individuals and families living with FASD. Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) efforts to enhance the exchange of clinical and administrative data through their recommendations to the Secretary but highlighted the important role of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set as serving the needs of a data-driven health system by allowing physicians, patients, researchers, medical groups, allied health care professionals, health systems, hospitals, medical coders, accreditation organizations, payers, and health information technology professionals to easily exchange data on the medical services and procedures provided to patients. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes.

Advocated for Increased appropriations for HRSAs Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. This program provides student loan repayment for addiction treatment professionals who commit to working in underserved or high-risk communities. Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. This Program provides grants to institutions with training opportunities for fellows in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry who have demonstrated interest in providing addiction treatment in underserved communities Advocated for increased appropriations for HRSAs Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program. This program provides grants to expand the number of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and social workers trained to provide addiction and mental health services in underserved community-based settings that integrate primary care, mental health, and addiction services. Advocated for increased appropriations for federal initiatives that lead to a more diverse addiction treatment workforce, such as scholarships and loan repayment targeting underrepresented minority addiction medicine professionals, including SAMHSAs Minority Fellowship Program. Advocated for the alignment of coverage and payment policies in Medicare and Medicaid with evidence-based and nationally recognized addiction treatment and placement criteria and standards (e.g., The ASAM Criteria). This would include permanent modification to the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion to allow federal Medicaid funds to serve individuals with SUDs in those residential and inpatient settings that are able to demonstrate that patient assessments, clinical services, level-of-care and length-of-stay recommendations are consistent with The ASAM Criteria and that evidence based medication management using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications are available to patients in such settings Advocated for regulatory/sub-regulatory/application guidance that would require the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, including requiring each grantee delivering SUD treatment services to provide access to all FDA-approved medications for SUDs treated by that grantee. Advocated for a requirement that SAPT, State Opioid Response Grant (SOR), and Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grantees that receive grant funds for the delivery of addiction treatment services should be limited to Medicaid providers in order to better integrate federal grant dollars and Medicaid funds and Administration support for increased oversight and improved mechanisms for ensuring that such funding does not supplant the consistent and scalable funding that Medicaid (or Medicare) provides. Advocated for S 2235/HR 2067 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2021: This legislation would ensure most Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled medication prescribers have a baseline knowledge of how to identify, treat, and manage patients with SUD and would allow accredited health professional schools and residency programs to fulfill the training requirement through their own curricula, as well as provide them with resources to do so. Advocated for simultaneous passage of S 445/HR 1384 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, which would eliminate the requirement that practitioners apply for a separate waiver through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction and eliminate the patient limits on buprenorphine prescribers. Advocated for S 285/HR 955 - the Medicaid Reentry Act: This legislation would allow for reestablishment of health insurance coverage under Medicaid for eligible individuals who are incarcerated, during the 30-day period preceding their release from jail or prison. Advocated for S 1821/HR 3514 - the Humane Correctional Health Care Act, which would repeal the inmate exclusion that bars the use of federal Medicaid matching funds from covering health care services in jails and prisons. Advocated for S1727/HR 3450 - The Medicaid Bump Act of 2021: This legislation would provide an enhanced Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage rate of 90 percent for State Medicaid spending on mental health and substance use disorder services in excess of 2019 levels. It would also require states to use the additional federal funds as a supplement to rather than a replacement for state funding levels, and to use the funds to increase the capacity, efficiency, and quality of behavioral health services, including through increasing provider reimbursement rates; Advocated for Section 9 of S. 1010 - the Turn the Tide Act - These provisions would increase Medicaid fees for addiction treatment services to at least Medicare levels; Advocated for HR 1364 - the Parity Enforcement Act: This legislation would expand the U.S. Department of Labors authority to hold health insurers and plan sponsors accountable for offering health plans that violate the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 or for employing utilization review processes that prove more restrictive for mental health and addiction care than for other medical care in violation of the MHPAEA Advocated for S 340/HR 1674 - TREATS Act: This legislation would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement, which would allow clinicians to prescribe certain addiction treatment medications, like buprenorphine, to new patients through telehealth. It would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, SUD and mental health telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Provided technical assistance regarding a possible audio-only exception to Ryan Haight for initiation of buprenorphine for OUD. Advocated for HR 3925 Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act: This legislation would prohibit states receiving Federal funding for medication-assisted treatment under Medicaid from imposing utilization control policies or procedures (as defined by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services), including prior authorization requirements, with respect to such treatment. Advocated for the Administration to support continuous collaboration and sharing of information between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA, which should include new, strategic efforts to provide technical assistance funds to states to support their operation of CMS-approved Section 1115 SUD waivers related to the IMD exclusion and to enhance their care delivery systems for patients. Advocated for the Administration to increase promotion to State Medicaid programs of adoption of two, new sets of bundled G codes to increase or establish payment for outpatient opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and treatment services provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) at Medicare payment rates or higher. Advocated for the Administration to support the following regulatory and administrative efforts that would reduce barriers to accessing addiction treatment: Creation of safe-harbor provisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act Civil, as they may be applied to the implementation of contingency management (CM) for the treatment of addiction. Approval of a prescription to over the counter (OTC) switch for at least one naloxone product. This change would save lives and reduce existing barriers that prevent access to this critical medication; Regulatory changes that would allow Medicaid reimbursement for the room and board portion of SUD residential levels of care that meet level of care standards set forth in The ASAM Criteria; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would create a special registration exemption for jails, prisons, and their authorized personnel to prescribe and otherwise dispense controlled medications for initiation, maintenance or withdrawal management of OUD that is significantly less burdensome than currently applicable registration requirements in the Controlled Substances Act and related regulations. Such special registration should not limit the number of persons who are detained or incarcerated who can be treated with such medications by a qualified practitioner; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would allow pharmacy dispensing and/or administration of methadone that has been prescribed by a legally authorized prescriber of controlled medications who is affiliated with an OTP or is a board-certified addiction specialist physician; Regulatory (or legislative) changes that would make permanent the opioid treatment program (OTP) flexibilities, including the methadone unsupervised dosing flexibilities, implemented during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency while continuing study of the impact of these flexibilities; Assessment of current opioid order systems and monitoring programs to more fully understand the potential negative implications for patient access to buprenorphine at pharmacies and other controlled substance medications used to treat OUD; ; In the absence of Congressional action to eliminate the x-waiver, efforts to increase the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit -- aka, the applicable number; Issuance of regulations relating to a special registration for telemedicine, as was directed in Section 3232 of the SUPPORT Act of 2018. Advocated for the S.834/H.R.2256 Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, which would increase the number of Medicare GME slots by 14,000 over 7 years, including its inclusion in the next reconciliation package Advocated for House Resolution 349, which would support the goals of Overdose Awareness Day by lowering the United States flag to halfstaff on all Federal buildings on August 31st of each year. Advocated for the Support, Treatment, and Overdose Prevention of (S.T.O.P) Fentanyl Act of 2021 (H.R. 2366 / S. 1457). This legislation would expand fentanyl research and education, enhance overdose prevention and access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provide critical public health data and additional training support for various stakeholders. Advocated for changes to a draft opioid treatment program bill to make permanent certain COVID-19 flexibilities allowed to states for unsupervised doses, as well as "time in treatment" regulatory changes and to permit pharmacy dispensing of methadone for opioid use disorder treatment for certain experienced cohorts of prescribers Submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outlining suggested improvements to the proposed Physician Payment Schedule for calendar year (CY) 2022. Among other recommendations, ASAM urged that CMS work with Congress to avoid a 2.5% cut in reimbursements for addiction medicine (ADM), finalize coding and payment rules for take-home naloxone nasal spray, and extend audio-only flexibility for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to furnish therapy and counseling payments for substance use disorder (SUD). Advocated for the inclusion of enhanced mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) parity enforcement within the Senates version of the budget reconciliation proposal. These enhanced enforcement measures would authorize the Department of Labor to assess civil monetary penalties against insurers that violate the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported $195 million over five years to the Employee Benefits Security Administration for enforcement. Advocated for the Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909). The Moms Matter Act is a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for culturally congruent, community-based mental and behavior health programs. Advocated for H.R 1693 / S. 79, the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law Act. This legislation would eliminate the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity and apply it retroactively to those already convicted or sentenced. Supported nomination of Dr. Rahul Gupta to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), a critical position for coordinating the nations drug policy and response to the nations drug addiction and overdose crisis. Supported the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 2069/H.R. 4323). This legislation would allow for every state and territory the ability to join the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration and would authorize investments in the model for current and prospective CCBHCs. Supported implemented recommendations regarding the CARES Acts amendment of 42 CFR Part 2 to advance further alignment of 42 CFR Part 2 (Part 2) with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for the purposes of treatment, payment, and health care operations (TPO). Advocated for H.R. 2786/ S. 1314, the Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2021, which would increase the federal excise tax on cigarettes and set federal tax rates for other tobacco products at an equivalent level. Supported the tobacco tax provisions included in the portion of the Build Back Better Act that was approved by the Ways and Means Committee Advocated for passage of the Advancing FASD Research, Services, and Prevention Act (S.2238 and H.R.4151), known as the FASD Respect Act. The legislation would in part reauthorize and strengthen existing federal FASD programs at NIAAA, CDC, and HRSA, and for the first time calls for long-neglected, meaningful support for individuals and families living with FASD. Supported H.R.4244 - STOP Stigma Act, which would make amendments to the names of certain agencies to help end the stigmatization of substance use disorder, and for other purposes. Supported the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) efforts to enhance the exchange of clinical and administrative data through their recommendations to the Secretary but highlighted the important role of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set as serving the needs of a data-driven health system by allowing physicians, patients, researchers, medical groups, allied health care professionals, health systems, hospitals, medical coders, accreditation organizations, payers, and health information technology professionals to easily exchange data on the medical services and procedures provided to patients. Supported draft legislation that would amend the Controlled Substances Act to increase the number of days before which certain controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment must be administered, and for other purposes.

H.R. 3107 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 - DelBene - prior authorization in Medicare Advantage H.R. 3925 - Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act - Tonko - Opioids H.R. 3935 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Carter - Medicaid coverage for transportation H.R. 4453 - Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act of 2019 - Ruiz -Distributing information to Medicare beneficiaries to prevent fraud H.R. 4529 - Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2019 - Maloney - Medicaid H.R. 4583 - Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 - Schneider - prescription drug affordability H.R. 4620 - More Help for Seniors Act of 2019 - Rose - expand eligibility for low-income subsidies under part D of the Medicare program H.R. 4621 - Collecting and Analyzing Resources Integral and Necessary for Guidance for Social Determinants Act of 2019 - Blunt Rochester - best practices re social determinants of health H.R. 4629 - Star Rating for Biosimilars Act - Tonko - biosimilars H.R. 4632 - Better Transparency in Information for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019 - Kind - provides consumers information regarding premiums under LIS benchmark plans H.R. 4671 - Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act - Kim - Medicare affordability and low income beneficiaries H.R. 4996 - Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act of 2020 - Kelly - extend Medicaid coverage post-partum H.R. 5006 - Expanding Access to Inpatient Mental Health Act - Emmer - Medicaid coverage for SUD/mental health for institutionalized H.R. 5201 - Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019 - Matsui - Medicare coverage of mental telehealth H.R. 5232 - Road to Recovery Act - Fitzpatrick - Medicaid and CHIP SUD treatment H.R. 5693 - Primary Health Services Enhancement Act - Kind - Medicare rural health H.R. 5808 - Save Rural Communities Act of 2020 - Arrington - rural emergency medical access services under Medicare H.R. 5833 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the use of certain psychological evaluation via telehealth for Medicare coverage of neurostimulation services for the treatment of chronic pain - Latta - Medicare coverage in telehealth H.R. 5882 - GENE Therapy Payment Act - Schrader - value based care H.R. 6098 - To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to allow States to expand income eligibility standards under the Children's Health Insurance Program -Barragan - CHIP eligibility H.R. 6151 - CARING for Kids Act - Fineknauer - CHIP H.R. 6179 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 - Cardenas - payments to providers of biosimilars under Medicare H.R. 6209 - Reducing Unnecessary Senior Hospitalizations Act of 2020 or the RUSH Act of 2020 -Kuster - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments H.R. 6244 - To amend titles XVIII and XIX to provide for coverage at no cost sharing of COVID-19 testing under the Medicaid program and Children's Health Insurance Program - Kelly - Medicaid coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6263 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to waive cost sharing under the Medicare program for certain visits relating to testing for COVID-19 -Sarbanes - Medicare coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6273 - Protecting Vulnerable Americans in Times of Crisis Act of 2020 - Butterfield - FMAP H.R. 6311 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Ruiz - COVID-19 cost sharing H.R. 6336 - Increasing Hospital Capacity to Fight the Coronavirus Act of 2020 - Bishop - Medicare and Medicaid payments during COVID-19 emergency H.R. 6462 - Emergency Medicaid for Coronavirus Treatment Act - Gallego - Medicaid coverage H.R. 6511 - Ensuring Vaccination and Treatment Affordability Act - Pappas - COVID H.R. 6521 - To prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from taking certain actions with respect to Medicaid supplemental payments reporting requirements, and for other purposes - Diaz Barragan - Medicaid, delays implementation of MFAR H.R. 6538 - Modernized Medicine Act - Kennedy - Medicaid, Telehealth H.R. 6539 - Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act - Lee - FMAP H.R. 6572 - To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to carry out a national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge of COVID-19. -Bilirakis - COVID H.R. 6583 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a risk corridor program for Medicare Advantage plans during the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes. - Houlahan - COVID H.R. 6616 - Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Act -Cardenas - COVID H.R. 6640 - Medicare Advantage COVID Treatment Act - Mucarsel-Powell - COVID H.R. 6658 - Insular Area Medicaid Coronavirus Recovery Act - Sablan - FMAP H.R. 6727 - To hold Medicare beneficiaries harmless for specified COVID-19 treatment services furnished under part A or part B of the Medicare program - Schrier - COVID H.R. 6744 - Computer and Internet Equity Act - Davis - internet access for Lifeline program H.R. 6753 - Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2020 - Finkenauer - Medicare hospital payments H.R. 6792 - Improving Telehealth for Underserved Communities Act of 2020 - Smith - telehealth H.R. 6797 - CHIPPER Act - Wild - CHIP, COVID H.R. 6837 - Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020 -Schneider - COVID H.R. 7154 - Outpatient Therapy Modernization and Stabilization Act -Boyle - outpatient therapy services H.R. 7187 - HEALTH Act of 2020 -Thompson -Smith - telehealth H.R. 7292 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for forgiveness of certain accelerated and advance payments under parts A and B of the Medicare program. - Kaptur - advance payments H.R. 7338 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements relating to the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. - Cheney - Telehealth H.R. 7391 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove certain geographic and originating site restrictions on the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program - Sherrill- Telehealth H.R. 7606 - MFAR Transparency Act - Williams - report on impact of MFAR to Congress H.R. 7627 - MORE Savings Act - Dean - Medicare access to opioid treatment and MAT H.R. 7663 - Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2020 - Thompson - waive or modify application of Medicare requirements with respect to telehealth during PHE H.R. 7791 - Value in Health Care Act of 2020 - Welch - Medicare shared savings program and alternative payment arrangements H.R. 7877 - Lowering Drug Costs for Seniors Act of 2020 - Katko - Medicare Part D costs H.R. 7892 - Medicaid Expansion During Crisis Act - Coleman - extend eligibility period for Medicaid enrollment application H.R. 8177 - Renal Anemia Innovation Support and Expansion Act - OHalleran - Medicare prescription drug coverage for chronic kidney disease H.R. 8218 - Rural Ambulance Reimbursement Fairness Act - Gianforte - Medicare payment for rural ambulance services H.R. 8254 - Bringing Enhanced Treatments and Therapies to ESRD Recipients Kidney Care Act - Blumenauer - integrated care for Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD H.R. 8427 - To provide for certain reports on enrollment in the Lifeline program, and for other purposes - Luria - Lifeline program H.R. 8476 - TIKES Act -Blunt Rochester - telehealth coverage in Medicaid H.R. 8505 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustments under the Medicare physician fee schedule - Burgess - Medicare physician fee schedule H.R. 8525 - Expanded Genetic Screening Act of 2020 - Speier - Medicaid coverage of non-invasive prenatal genetic screening H.R. 8529 - Protecting Access to Affordable Medicines Act of 2020 - Butterfield - rebates under the Medicaid program for certain noninnovator multiple source drugs H.R. 8546 - Fair Drug Prices for Kids Act -Wild - Medicaid drug rebate program in CHIP H.R. 8558 - Comprehensive Breast Reconstruction Act of 2020 - Hastings - extends coverage of certain breast reconstructive services following mastectomy under the Medicare and Medicaid programs H.R. 8561 - Restoring Fairness to Medicaid Reimbursement Act of 2020 - Johnson - FMAP H.R. 8574 - PROTECT Long Term Care Facilities Act -Sherrill - long term care in COVID-19 H.R. 8586 - Medicaid Coverage for Addiction Recovery Expansion Act -Foster - Substance Use Disorder H.R. 8623 - SAVE for Seniors Act - Spanberger - Medicare coverage of COVID-19 vaccines H.R. 8624 - Protecting Access to Innovation During COVID-19 Act - Wenstrup - extension of pass-through status under the Medicare program H.R. 8702 - Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020 -Bera - part B Medicare payments during COVID H.R. 8725 - HAPI Act - Soto - Medicaid Coverage of adult vaccines H.R. 8727 - Telehealth Modernization Act - Carter - Medicare telehealth payments H.R. 8755 - Expanded Telehealth Access Act -Sherrill - Medicare telehealth coverage H.R. 8756 - COVID Health Care Provider Assurance Act of 2020 - Riggleman - Medicare Part B payments during COVID-19 H.R. 8826 - The Resetting the Impact Act (TRIA) of 2020 - Sewell - amends the IMPACT Act of 2014 H.R. 8840 - Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act - Schneider - extend temporary Medicare sequestration H.R. 8871 - COVID HCBS Relief Act of 2020 - Dingell - funding for state Medicaid programs HCBS H.R. 8934 - Community Integration Act of 2020 - Cartwright - Medicaid HCBS H.R. 8958 - Supporting Best Practices for Healthy Moms Act - Kelly - guidance for state Medicaid programs on maternal health H.R. 9002 - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide States an option to cover a children's program of all-inclusive coordinated care (ChiPACC) under Medicaid program - DeGette - Childrens health under Medicaid H.R. 9006 - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under the Medicaid program under such title of routine patient costs associated with participation in certain clinical trials - Garcia - Medicaid coverage of clinical trials H.R. 9035 - Permanency for Audio-Only Telehealth Act - Smith - Audio only telehealth in Medicare S. 2846 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Isakson - Medicaid coverage of transportation S. 2911 - Seniors Prescription Drug Relief Act of 2019 - Cassidy - Part D smoothing S. 3013 - Encouraging Innovative Benefit Design to Lower Costs for Seniors Act - Crapo - offer additional prescription drugs under Part D S. 3220 - Ensuring Access to Direct Support Professionals Act - Portman - Medicaid coverage in acute care hospitals S. 3238 - Preventive Home Visit Act - King - preventative home visits S. 3277 - HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Act - Casey - access to community based services S. 3353 - Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2020 - Cassidy - Medicare coverage of kidney transplant services S. 3384 - Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for America's Seniors and Families Act of 2020 - McSally - Medicare Part D drug pricing negotiation S. 3399 - FCHIP Extension Act - Tester - rural health S. 3442 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Booker - COVID-19 cost sharing S. 3443 - Improving Coverage and Care for Mothers Act - Casey - Medicaid coverage for all pregnant and postpartum women S. 3447 - RUSH Act of 2020 - Thune - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments S. 3466 - ACCESS for Biosimilars Act of 2020 - McSally - eliminates cost sharing for biosimilar biological products furnished under part B of the Medicare program S. 3615 - Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2020 - Murkowski - rural community hospital demonstration program S. 3665 - Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2020 - Alexander - Medicare hospital payments S. 3750 - Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020 - Shaheen - COVID S. 3881 - CHIPPER Act - Casey - CHIP, COVID S. 3998 - HEALTH Act of 2020 - Hyde-Smith - telehealth S. 3999 - Mental and Behavioral Health Connectivity Act - King - Mental Health S. 4108 - A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase Federal support to State Medicaid programs during economic downturns - Casey - FMAP S. 4151 - SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act - Hoeven - Medicare OPPS coverage S. 4230 - Telehealth Expansion Act of 2020 - Wyden - Telehealth mental health services in Medicare S. 4274 - Legalizing Drug Discounts for Seniors Act of 2020 - Paul - exclude discounts for covered part D drugs from the anti-kickback prohibition S. 4295 - Public Health Emergency Pass-Through Payment Fairness Act of 2020 - Paul - access to drugs and devices under Medicare S. 4358 - Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Act - Bennet - Medicaid coverage for vaccines and treatment for COVID-19 for uninsured without cost-sharing S. 4375 - Telehealth Modernization Act - Alexander - make permanent Medicare telehealth flexibilities S. 4423 - COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020 - Brown - Medicare hospice care S. 4448- Fair Drug Prices for Kids Act - Warner - extend Medicaid drug rebate program to CHIP S. 4574 - Bringing Enhanced Treatments and Therapies to ESRD Recipients Kidney Care Act - Young - integrated care for Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD S. 4690 - Maternal Immunization Enhancement Act - Hassan - Medicaid and maternal health S. 4705 - Maternal Immunization Coverage Act - Cassidy - Medicaid coverage S. 4717 - Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act - Grassley - Medicaid enrollment S. 4742 - CLINICAL TREATMENT Act - Burr - Medicaid coverage S. 4825 - Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Seniors Act - Reed - Medicare coverage of COVID-19 vaccines S. 4840 - Ensuring Parity in MA for Audio-Only Telehealth Act of 2020 -Roberts - audio-only risk adjustment in Medicare Advantage S. 4859 - Connected MOM Act - Cassidy - expanded coverage of remote physiologic devices and related services under Medicaid S. 4864 - HAPI Act - Brown - Medicaid coverage of adult vaccines S. 4944 - Equality in Medicare and Medicaid Treatment Act of 2020 - Booker - CMMI models for SDOH in Medicare/Medicaid S. 4949 - Supporting Best Practices for Healthy Moms Act - Toomey - guidance for state Medicaid programs on maternal health S. 4957 - COVID HCBS Relief Act of 2020 - Casey - funding for state Medicaid programs HCBS S. 5007 - Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020 - Boozman - increase in Medicare part B payment S. 5044 - Bill to amend title XVIII of the SSA to establish requirement with respect to the use of prior authorization under the Medicare Advantage plans - Brown - Prior authorization S. 5077 - A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to adjust the limitations on Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments - Cornyn - Medicaid DSH payments Regulatory Issues: Ongoing implementation issues for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug programs, including risk adjustment methodology, network adequacy and provider directories, encounter data and other data-related issues, and risk adjustment data validation (RADV) audit issues including proposed RADV regulation for MA; bidding and payment issues (including MA rate assumptions, MA coding intensity, MA Secondary Payer issues, Part D reinsurance, Part D low income subsidies, Part D direct and indirect remuneration (DIR), and audits); calendar year 2021 policy and technical regulation for MA and Part D; MA and Part D proposed rule on drug pricing changes for 2020; Part D reform, out of pocket limits; issues related to Medicare for All, Medicare buy-in and public option; CMSs price transparency proposal for direct-to-consumer advertisements; issues relating to 2022 Rate Notice; Executive Orders relating to international pricing, Part D rebates, insulin costs, and importation; issues related to MLTSS; issues related to removal of safe harbor protection for rebates; issues relating to COVID-19, including testing; issues related to audio-only telehealth; issues related to addressing the social determinants of health, including housing, transportation, nutrition, and educational opportunities; issues related to Medicaid presumptive eligibility and continuous eligibility; issues relating to Medicaid best price; in-home health risk assessments; Medicare Medical Loss Ratio issues; issues related to changes to prior authorization regulations, electronic documentation, and related issues; issues relating to sequestration under the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs; issues related to health insurance tax for MA and Part D plans; implications of physician fee schedule on MA; application process, audits to evaluate compliance with MA and Part D program rules, benefit design rules, enrollment rules, requirements for notice and denial forms, marketing materials review and approval, marketing activities, including conduct and compensation of brokers and agents and plan sponsor marketing staff; measurement and oversight of plan performance including Special Needs Plans (SNPs); quality measures, grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance including training; contracting issues for Dual Eligible SNPs; Federal preemption of State authority under MA and Part D programs, Part D prescription drug event data reporting, Part D formulary rules, Part D pharmacy access standards, Part D coverage gap discount program, including employer group waiver plan (EGWP) issues, and other operational issues; issues raised by Part D coverage of new specialty drugs, the Part D non-interference policy and related issues (e.g., preferred pharmacy and any willing pharmacy requirements, standards for network pharmacy reimbursement, and policies regarding sponsor negotiation of pharmacy price concessions); issues related to the international price index; issues related to child and maternal health; issues related to Medicaid supplemental and disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding; issues related to Medicaid funding for territories; issues related to medical management; issues relating to MA supplemental benefits; Medication Therapy Management Program requirements and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Demonstration; MA EGWP issues; CMMI's health plan models; Part D requirements for offering basic and enhanced alternative plans; MA and Part D systems issues affecting enrollment and disenrollment processing and payment and other operational issues; issues relating to MA and Part D Star Rating system including measures, the methodology for calculating ratings, and the role of the ratings for payment purposes; implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 changes to the Part D coverage gap; functionality of the Medicare Personal Plan Finder and Drug Plan Finder; National Medicare Education Program; Medicare demonstration program on performance-based payments for physician groups; physician quality reporting initiative; issues relating to Medicare coverage policy and national coverage decisions; new payment system for physicians under MACRA, including implications for MA and Part D plans; Medicare clinical trials; Medicare/Medicaid integration for dual eligibles, including implementation of the Capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration and related issues (e.g., quality ratings); Medicaid managed care regulations and policies, including CMS's substantial revisions to the managed care regulations, mental health parity rules, the Medicaid managed care actuarial soundness standard, quality oversight, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance, beneficiary information requirements, treatment of Medicaid health plan member hospital days in the upper payment limit calculation; policies affecting State Medicaid funding, including block grants, the calculation of the federal medical assistance (federal matching) percentage (FMAP), and intergovernmental transfers (IGTs); coordination of benefits with state Medicaid programs; Medicaid prescription drug cost issues affecting Medicaid health plans including issues raised by Medicaid coverage of new specialty drugs; health plan-related Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) issues, including eligibility and outreach issues and CHIP reauthorization; implementation of Medicaid changes made in Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, including Medicaid managed care organization provider tax issues; standards for electronic prescribing; implementation of Medicaid changes of interest to Medicaid health plans made in the ACA including Medicaid expansion, the managed care organization (MCO) prescription drug rebate provisions, minimum payments to primary care providers (PCPs), interactions between the Medicaid program and health insurance exchanges, and Medicaid and CHIP maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements; implications of the health insurer fee for Medicaid health plans; issues related to Medicaid Managed long-term care including home and community-based waiver services (HCBS); expanding the availability of Medicare Advantage and Medicaid health plan telemedicine programs; implications of the new non-discrimination rules for health plans participating in public programs; issues related to Medigap coverage; issues related to business continuity in relation to pandemics or natural events (e.g., hurricane, tornado, etc.); cybersecurity; provider directories; value-based insurance design models; issues relating to prescription drug price blueprint; Part D prescriber enrollment requirements; Part D recovery audit contractor programs; issues relating to enrollment of beneficiaries with ESRD into MA plans; issues related to health homes for children with medically complex conditions; socioeconomic status impacts on star ratings related to MA and Part D programs; and other issues relating to health care reform implementation.

H.R. 1329, the Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 1839, the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act

Client expense: $238,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office

S. 518/H.R. 1948 - Lymphedema Treatment Act of 2019 S. 1037/H.R. 2788 - Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019 S. 296/H.R. 2150 - Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act S. 237/H.R. 808 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 900 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2019 S. 1399/H.R. 728 - Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019 S. 2842/H.R. 3911 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2019 S. 1895 - Lower Health Care Costs Act H.R. 3107 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 H.R. 3630 - No Surprises Act H.R. 3925 - Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act S. 2074/H.R. 2482 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2019 H.R. 3 - Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act H.R. 4974/S. 4640 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2019 Executive Order 13890 - Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation's Seniors S. 2741/H.R. 4932 - Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 S. 2971 - CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2019 H.R. 19 - Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 S. 2543 - Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 647 - Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act H.R. 748 (P.L. 116-136) - CARES Act S. 3548 - CARES Act H.R. 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 6704 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act H.R. 6379 - Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act H.R. 6159 - Kids' Access to Primary Care Act of 2020 H.R. 6164 - Perinatal Workforce Act of 2020 H.R. 5826 - Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020 H.R. 5800 - Ban Surprise Billing Act H.R. 3436 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act H.R. 5575 - Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act S. Res. 500/H. Res. 859 - A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the "International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife", as designated by the World Health Organization H.R. 6800 - The HEROES Act H.R. 6809 - Nurse Workforce Protection Act of 2020 H.R. 6650/S. 3634 - Health Heroes 2020 Act S. 4055 - Strengthening Americas Health Care Readiness Act H.R. 266 - Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act S. 3993 - A bill to permit a licensed health care provider to provide health care services to individuals in one or more States in which the provider is not licensed S. 4088 - The Ensuring Access to Primary Care for Women & Children Act H.R. 1329 - the Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 8061 - Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act H.R. 925 - The Heroes Act The Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protections & Schools (HEALS) Act S. 4775 - Delivering Immediate Relief to Americas Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act S. 4103 - Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act H.R. 7663 - Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2020 S. 4396/H.R. 7945 - Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act H.R. 6142 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020 S. 5000 - CARA 2.0 Act of 2020 Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 H.R. 133 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding to states Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements COVID-19 Pandemic relief: funding, removal of barriers, telehealth, mental health, personal protective equipment, and testing Telehealth pertaining to home health care COVID-19 Pandemic Reducing Regulatory Burdens, including those relating to home infusion therapy, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and hospice certification Medication-Assisted Therapies (MATs) Opioid Abuse Epidemic Documentation of medical records Rural Health Issues Provider Non-Discrimination Issues relating to Mental and Substance Use Disorder Workforce Training Demonstration implementation Medicare restrictions pertaining to telehealth

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst

H.R. 3107 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 - DelBene - prior authorization in Medicare Advantage H.R. 3925 - Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act - Tonko - Opioids H.R. 3935 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Carter - Medicaid coverage for transportation H.R. 4453 - Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act of 2019 - Ruiz -Distributing information to Medicare beneficiaries to prevent fraud H.R. 4529 - Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2019 - Maloney - Medicaid H.R. 4583 - Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 - Schneider - prescription drug affordability H.R. 4620 - More Help for Seniors Act of 2019 - Rose - expand eligibility for low-income subsidies under part D of the Medicare program H.R. 4621 - Collecting and Analyzing Resources Integral and Necessary for Guidance for Social Determinants Act of 2019 - Blunt Rochester - best practices re social determinants of health H.R. 4629 - Star Rating for Biosimilars Act - Tonko - biosimilars H.R. 4632 - Better Transparency in Information for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019 - Kind - provides consumers information regarding premiums under LIS benchmark plans H.R. 4671 - Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act - Kim - Medicare affordability and low income beneficiaries H.R. 4996 - Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act of 2020 - Kelly - extend Medicaid coverage post-partum H.R. 5006 - Expanding Access to Inpatient Mental Health Act - Emmer - Medicaid coverage for SUD/mental health for institutionalized H.R. 5201 - Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019 - Matsui - Medicare coverage of mental telehealth H.R. 5232 - Road to Recovery Act - Fitzpatrick - Medicaid and CHIP SUD treatment H.R. 5693 - Primary Health Services Enhancement Act - Kind - Medicare rural health H.R. 5808 - Save Rural Communities Act of 2020 - Arrington - rural emergency medical access services under Medicare H.R. 5833 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the use of certain psychological evaluation via telehealth for Medicare coverage of neurostimulation services for the treatment of chronic pain - Latta - Medicare coverage in telehealth H.R. 5882 - GENE Therapy Payment Act - Schrader - value based care H.R. 6098 - To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to allow States to expand income eligibility standards under the Children's Health Insurance Program -Barragan - CHIP eligibility H.R. 6151 - CARING for Kids Act - Fineknauer - CHIP H.R. 6179 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 - Cardenas - payments to providers of biosimilars under Medicare H.R. 6209 - Reducing Unnecessary Senior Hospitalizations Act of 2020 or the RUSH Act of 2020 -Kuster - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments H.R. 6244 - To amend titles XVIII and XIX to provide for coverage at no cost sharing of COVID-19 testing under the Medicaid program and Children's Health Insurance Program - Kelly - Medicaid coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6263 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to waive cost sharing under the Medicare program for certain visits relating to testing for COVID-19 -Sarbanes - Medicare coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6273 - Protecting Vulnerable Americans in Times of Crisis Act of 2020 - Butterfield - FMAP H.R. 6311 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Ruiz - COVID-19 cost sharing H.R. 6336 - Increasing Hospital Capacity to Fight the Coronavirus Act of 2020 - Bishop - Medicare and Medicaid payments during COVID-19 emergency H.R. 6462 - Emergency Medicaid for Coronavirus Treatment Act - Gallego - Medicaid coverage H.R. 6511 - Ensuring Vaccination and Treatment Affordability Act - Pappas - COVID H.R. 6521 - To prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from taking certain actions with respect to Medicaid supplemental payments reporting requirements, and for other purposes - Diaz Barragan - Medicaid, delays implementation of MFAR H.R. 6538 - Modernized Medicine Act - Kennedy - Medicaid, Telehealth H.R. 6539 - Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act - Lee - FMAP H.R. 6572 - To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to carry out a national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge of COVID-19. -Bilirakis - COVID H.R. 6583 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a risk corridor program for Medicare Advantage plans during the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes. - Houlahan - COVID H.R. 6616 - Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Act -Cardenas - COVID H.R. 6640 - Medicare Advantage COVID Treatment Act - Mucarsel-Powell - COVID H.R. 6658 - Insular Area Medicaid Coronavirus Recovery Act - Sablan - FMAP H.R. 6727 - To hold Medicare beneficiaries harmless for specified COVID-19 treatment services furnished under part A or part B of the Medicare program - Schrier - COVID H.R. 6744 - Computer and Internet Equity Act - Davis - internet access for Lifeline program H.R. 6753 - Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2020 - Finkenauer - Medicare hospital payments H.R. 6792 - Improving Telehealth for Underserved Communities Act of 2020 - Smith - telehealth H.R. 6797 - CHIPPER Act - Wild - CHIP, COVID H.R. 6837 - Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020 -Schneider - COVID H.R. 7154 - Outpatient Therapy Modernization and Stabilization Act -Boyle - outpatient therapy services H.R. 7187 - HEALTH Act of 2020 -Thompson -Smith - telehealth H.R. 7292 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for forgiveness of certain accelerated and advance payments under parts A and B of the Medicare program. - Kaptur - advance payments H.R. 7338 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements relating to the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. - Cheney - Telehealth H.R. 7391 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove certain geographic and originating site restrictions on the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program - Sherrill- Telehealth H.R. 7606 - MFAR Transparency Act - Williams - report on impact of MFAR to Congress H.R. 7627 - MORE Savings Act - Dean - Medicare access to opioid treatment and MAT H.R. 7663 - Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2020 - Thompson - waive or modify application of Medicare requirements with respect to telehealth during PHE H.R. 7791 - Value in Health Care Act of 2020 - Welch - Medicare shared savings program and alternative payment arrangements H.R. 7877 - Lowering Drug Costs for Seniors Act of 2020 - Katko - Medicare Part D costs H.R. 7892 - Medicaid Expansion During Crisis Act - Coleman - extend eligibility period for Medicaid enrollment application H.R. 8177 - Renal Anemia Innovation Support and Expansion Act - OHalleran - Medicare prescription drug coverage for chronic kidney disease H.R. 8218 - Rural Ambulance Reimbursement Fairness Act - Gianforte - Medicare payment for rural ambulance services H.R. 8254 - Bringing Enhanced Treatments and Therapies to ESRD Recipients Kidney Care Act - Blumenauer - integrated care for Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD H.R. 8427 - To provide for certain reports on enrollment in the Lifeline program, and for other purposes - Luria - Lifeline program S. 2846 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Isakson - Medicaid coverage of transportation S. 2911 - Seniors Prescription Drug Relief Act of 2019 - Cassidy - Part D smoothing S. 3013 - Encouraging Innovative Benefit Design to Lower Costs for Seniors Act - Crapo - offer additional prescription drugs under Part D S. 3220 - Ensuring Access to Direct Support Professionals Act - Portman - Medicaid coverage in acute care hospitals S. 3238 - Preventive Home Visit Act - King - preventative home visits S. 3277 - HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Act - Casey - access to community based services S. 3353 - Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2020 - Cassidy - Medicare coverage of kidney transplant services S. 3384 - Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for America's Seniors and Families Act of 2020 - McSally - Medicare Part D drug pricing negotiation S. 3399 - FCHIP Extension Act - Tester - rural health S. 3442 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Booker - COVID-19 cost sharing S. 3443 - Improving Coverage and Care for Mothers Act - Casey - Medicaid coverage for all pregnant and postpartum women S. 3447 - RUSH Act of 2020 - Thune - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments S. 3466 - ACCESS for Biosimilars Act of 2020 - McSally - eliminates cost sharing for biosimilar biological products furnished under part B of the Medicare program S. 3615 - Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2020 - Murkowski - rural community hospital demonstration program S. 3665 - Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2020 - Alexander - Medicare hospital payments S. 3750 - Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020 - Shaheen - COVID S. 3881 - CHIPPER Act - Casey - CHIP, COVID S. 3998 - HEALTH Act of 2020 - Hyde-Smith - telehealth S. 3999 - Mental and Behavioral Health Connectivity Act - King - Mental Health S. 4108 - A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase Federal support to State Medicaid programs during economic downturns - Casey - FMAP S. 4151 - SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act - Hoeven - Medicare OPPS coverage S. 4230 - Telehealth Expansion Act of 2020 - Wyden - Telehealth mental health services in Medicare S. 4274 - Legalizing Drug Discounts for Seniors Act of 2020 - Paul - exclude discounts for covered part D drugs from the anti-kickback prohibition S. 4295 - Public Health Emergency Pass-Through Payment Fairness Act of 2020 - Paul - access to drugs and devices under Medicare S. 4358 - Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Act - Bennet - Medicaid coverage for vaccines and treatment for COVID-19 for uninsured without cost-sharing S. 4375 - Telehealth Modernization Act - Alexander - make permanent Medicare telehealth flexibilities S. 4423 - COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020 - Brown - Medicare hospice care S. 4448 - Fair Drug Prices for Kids Act - Warner - extend Medicaid drug rebate program to CHIP S. 4574 - Bringing Enhanced Treatments and Therapies to ESRD Recipients Kidney Care Act - Young - integrated care for Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD S. 4690 - A bill to increase vaccination rates among pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and for other purposes - Hassan - Medicaid and maternal health S. 4705 - A bill to amend title XIX requiring coverage under Medicaid of vaccines for pregnant women - Cassidy - Medicaid coverage S. 4717 - A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to streamline enrollment of certain Medicaid providers across State lines, and for other purposes - Grassley - Medicaid enrollment S. 4742 - A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to promote access to life-saving therapies for Medicaid enrollees by ensuring coverage of routine patient costs for items and services furnished in connection with participation in qualifying clinical trials, and for other purposes - Burr - Medicaid coverage Regulatory Issues: Ongoing implementation issues for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug programs, including risk adjustment methodology, network adequacy and provider directories, encounter data and other data-related issues, and risk adjustment data validation (RADV) audit issues including proposed RADV regulation for MA; bidding and payment issues (including MA rate assumptions, MA coding intensity, MA Secondary Payer issues, Part D reinsurance, Part D low income subsidies, Part D direct and indirect remuneration (DIR), and audits); calendar year 2021 policy and technical regulation for MA and Part D; MA and Part D proposed rule on drug pricing changes for 2020; Part D reform, out of pocket limits; issues related to Medicare for All, Medicare buy-in and public option; CMSs price transparency proposal for direct-to-consumer advertisements; issues relating to 2022 Rate Notice; Executive Orders relating to international pricing, Part D rebates, insulin costs, and importation; issues related to MLTSS; issues related to proposed changes to removal of safe harbor protection for rebates (proposed rule); issues relating to COVID-19, including testing; issues related to audio-only telehealth; issues related to addressing the social determinants of health, including housing, transportation, nutrition, and educational opportunities; issues related to Medicaid presumptive eligibility and continuous eligibility; issues relating to Medicaid best price; in-home health risk assessments; Medicare Medical Loss Ratio issues; implementation of sequestration under the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs; implications of the health insurer fee for MA and Part D plans; application process, audits to evaluate compliance with MA and Part D program rules, benefit design rules, enrollment rules, requirements for notice and denial forms, marketing materials review and approval, marketing activities, including conduct and compensation of brokers and agents and plan sponsor marketing staff; measurement and oversight of plan performance including Special Needs Plans (SNPs); quality measures, grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance including training; contracting issues for Dual Eligible SNPs; Federal preemption of State authority under MA and Part D programs, Part D prescription drug event data reporting, Part D formulary rules, Part D pharmacy access standards, Part D coverage gap discount program, including employer group waiver plan (EGWP) issues, and other operational issues; issues raised by Part D coverage of new specialty drugs, the Part D non-interference policy and related issues (e.g., preferred pharmacy and any willing pharmacy requirements, standards for network pharmacy reimbursement, and policies regarding sponsor negotiation of pharmacy price concessions); issues related to the international price index; issues related to child and maternal health; issues related to Medicaid supplemental and disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding; issues related to Medicaid funding for territories; issues related to medical management; issues relating to MA supplemental benefits; Medication Therapy Management Program requirements and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Demonstration; MA EGWP issues; CMMI's value-based insurance design (VBID) demonstration; Part D requirements for offering basic and enhanced alternative plans; MA and Part D systems issues affecting enrollment and disenrollment processing and payment and other operational issues; issues relating to MA and Part D Star Rating system including measures, the methodology for calculating ratings, and the role of the ratings for payment purposes; implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 changes to the Part D coverage gap; functionality of the Medicare Personal Plan Finder and Drug Plan Finder; National Medicare Education Program; Medicare demonstration program on performance-based payments for physician groups; physician quality reporting initiative; issues relating to Medicare coverage policy and national coverage decisions; new payment system for physicians under MACRA, including implications for MA and Part D plans; Medicare clinical trials; Medicare/Medicaid integration for dual eligibles, including implementation of the Capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration and related issues (e.g., quality ratings); Medicaid managed care regulations and policies, including CMS's substantial revisions to the managed care regulations, mental health parity rules, the Medicaid managed care actuarial soundness standard, quality oversight, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance, beneficiary information requirements, treatment of Medicaid health plan member hospital days in the upper payment limit calculation; policies affecting State Medicaid funding, including block grants, the calculation of the federal medical assistance (federal matching) percentage (FMAP), and intergovernmental transfers (IGTs); coordination of benefits with state Medicaid programs; Medicaid prescription drug cost issues affecting Medicaid health plans including issues raised by Medicaid coverage of new specialty drugs; health plan-related Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) issues, including eligibility and outreach issues and CHIP reauthorization; implementation of Medicaid changes made in Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, including Medicaid managed care organization provider tax issues; standards for electronic prescribing; implementation of Medicaid changes of interest to Medicaid health plans made in the ACA including Medicaid expansion, the managed care organization (MCO) prescription drug rebate provisions, minimum payments to primary care providers (PCPs), interactions between the Medicaid program and health insurance exchanges, and Medicaid and CHIP maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements; implications of the health insurer fee for Medicaid health plans; issues related to Medicaid Managed long-term care including home and community-based waiver services (HCBS); expanding the availability of Medicare Advantage and Medicaid health plan telemedicine programs; implications of the new non-discrimination rules for health plans participating in public programs; issues related to Medigap coverage; issues related to business continuity in relation to pandemics or natural events (e.g., hurricane, tornado, etc.); cybersecurity; provider directories; value-based insurance design models; issues relating to prescription drug price blueprint; Part D prescriber enrollment requirements; Part D recovery audit contractor programs; issues relating to enrollment of beneficiaries with ESRD into MA plans; issues related to health homes for children with medically complex conditions; socioeconomic status impacts on star ratings related to MA and Part D programs; and other issues relating to health care reform implementation.

S. 518/H.R. 1948 - Lymphedema Treatment Act of 2019 S. 1037/H.R. 2788 - Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019 S. 296/H.R. 2150 - Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act S. 237/H.R. 808 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 900 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2019 S. 1399/H.R. 728 - Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019 S. 2842/H.R. 3911 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2019 S. 1895 - Lower Health Care Costs Act H.R. 3107 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 H.R. 3630 - No Surprises Act H.R. 3925 - Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act S.2074/H.R. 2482 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2019 H.R. 3 - Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act H.R. 4974/S. 4640 - Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2019 Executive Order 13890 - Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation's Seniors S. 2741/H.R. 4932 - Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 S. 2971 - CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2019 H.R. 19 - Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 S. 2543 - Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 647 - Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act H.R. 748 (P.L. 116-136) - CARES Act S. 3548 - CARES Act H.R. 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 6704 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act H.R. 6379 - Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act H.R. 6159 - Kids' Access to Primary Care Act of 2020 H.R. 6164 - Perinatal Workforce Act of 2020 H.R. 5826 - Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020 H.R. 5800 - Ban Surprise Billing Act H.R. 3436 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act H.R. 5575 - Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act S. Res. 500/H. Res. 859 - A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the "International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife", as designated by the World Health Organization H.R. 6800 - The HEROES Act H.R. 6809 - Nurse Workforce Protection Act of 2020 H.R. 6650/S. 3634 - Health Heroes 2020 Act S. 4055 - Strengthening Americas Health Care Readiness Act H.R. 266 - Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act S. 3993 - A bill to permit a licensed health care provider to provide health care services to individuals in one or more States in which the provider is not licensed S. 4088 - The Ensuring Access to Primary Care for Women & Children Act H.R. 1329 - the Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 8061 - Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act H.R. 925 - The Heroes Act The Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protections & Schools (HEALS) Act S.4775 - Delivering Immediate Relief to Americas Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act S. 4103 - Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act H.R. 7663 - Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2020 S. 4396/H.R. 7945 - Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act Increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding to states Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements COVID-19 Pandemic relief: funding, removal of barriers, telehealth, mental health, personal protective equipment, and testing Telehealth pertaining to home health care COVID-19 Pandemic Reducing Regulatory Burdens, including those relating to home infusion therapy, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and hospice certification Medication-Assisted Therapies (MATs) Opioid Abuse Epidemic Documentation of medical records Rural Health Issues Provider Non-Discrimination Issues relating to Mental and Substance Use Disorder Workforce Training Demonstration implementation

H.R. 1329, the Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 1839, the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act

Client expense: $144,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment

H.R. 3107 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 - DelBene - prior authorization in Medicare Advantage H.R. 3925 - Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act - Tonko - Opioids H.R. 3935 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Carter - Medicaid coverage for transportation H.R. 4453 - Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act of 2019 - Ruiz -Distributing information to Medicare beneficiaries to prevent fraud H.R. 4529 - Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2019 - Maloney - Medicaid H.R. 4583 - Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 - Schneider - prescription drug affordability H.R. 4620 - More Help for Seniors Act of 2019 - Rose - expand eligibility for low-income subsidies under part D of the Medicare program H.R. 4621 - Collecting and Analyzing Resources Integral and Necessary for Guidance for Social Determinants Act of 2019 - Blunt Rochester - best practices re social determinants of health H.R. 4629 - Star Rating for Biosimilars Act - Tonko - biosimilars H.R. 4632 - Better Transparency in Information for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019 - Kind - provides consumers information regarding premiums under LIS benchmark plans H.R. 4671 - Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act - Kim - Medicare affordability and low income beneficiaries H.R. 5006 - Expanding Access to Inpatient Mental Health Act - Emmer - Medicaid coverage for SUD/mental health for institutionalized H.R. 5201 - Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019 - Matsui - Medicare coverage of mental telehealth H.R. 5232 - Road to Recovery Act - Fitzpatrick - Medicaid and CHIP SUD treatment H.R. 5693 - Primary Health Services Enhancement Act - Kind - Medicare rural health H.R. 5808 - Save Rural Communities Act of 2020 - Jodey Arrington - rural emergency medical access services under Medicare H.R. 5833 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the use of certain psychological evaluation via telehealth for Medicare coverage of neurostimulation services for the treatment of chronic pain - Latta - Medicare coverage in telehealth H.R. 5882 - GENE Therapy Payment Act - Schrader - value based care H.R. 6098 - To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to allow States to expand income eligibility standards under the Children's Health Insurance Program - Barragan - CHIP eligibility H.R. 6151 - CARING for Kids Act - Abby Fineknauer - CHIP H.R. 6179 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 - Cardenas - payments to providers of biosimilars under Medicare H.R. 6209 - Reducing Unnecessary Senior Hospitalizations Act of 2020 or the RUSH Act of 2020 -Kuster - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments H.R. 6244 - To amend titles XVIII and XIX to provide for coverage at no cost sharing of COVID-19 testing under the Medicaid program and Children's Health Insurance Program - Kelly - Medicaid coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6263 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to waive cost sharing under the Medicare program for certain visits relating to testing for COVID-19 -Sarbanes - Medicare coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6273 - Protecting Vulnerable Americans in Times of Crisis Act of 2020 - Butterfield - FMAP H.R. 6311 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Ruiz - COVID-19 cost sharing H.R. 6336 - Increasing Hospital Capacity to Fight the Coronavirus Act of 2020 - Bishop - Medicare and Medicaid payments during COVID-19 emergency H.R. 6462 - Emergency Medicaid for Coronavirus Treatment Act - Gallego - Medicaid coverage H.R. 6511 - Ensuring Vaccination and Treatment Affordability Act - Pappas - COVID H.R. 6521 - To prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from taking certain actions with respect to Medicaid supplemental payments reporting requirements, and for other purposes - Diaz Barragan H.R. 6538 - Modernized Medicine Act - Kennedy - Medicaid, Telehealth H.R. 6539 - Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act - Lee - FMAP H.R. 6572 - To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to carry out a national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge of COVID-19. - Bilirakis - COVID H.R. 6583 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a risk corridor program for Medicare Advantage plans during the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes. - Houlahan - COVID H.R. 6616 - Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Act - Cardenas - COVID H.R. 6640 - Medicare Advantage COVID Treatment Act - Mucarsel-Powell - COVID H.R. 6658 - Insular Area Medicaid Coronavirus Recovery Act - Sablan - FMAP H.R. 6727 - To hold Medicare beneficiaries harmless for specified COVID-19 treatment services furnished under part A or part B of the Medicare program - Schrier - COVID H.R. 6744 - Computer and Internet Equity Act - Davis - internet access for Lifeline program H.R. 6753 - Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2020 - Finkenauer - Medicare hospital payments H.R. 6792 - Improving Telehealth for Underserved Communities Act of 2020 - Smith - telehealth H.R. 6797 - CHIPPER Act - Wild - CHIP, COVID H.R. 6837 - Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020 - Schneider - COVID H.R. 7154 - Outpatient Therapy Modernization and Stabilization Act - Boyle - outpatient therapy services H.R. 7187 - HEALTH Act of 2020 -Thompson -Smith - telehealth H.R. 7297 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for forgiveness of certain accelerated and advance payments under parts A and B of the Medicare program. - Kaptur H.R. 7338 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements relating to the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. - Cheney - Telehealth H.R. 7391 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove certain geographic and originating site restrictions on the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program - Sherrill - Telehealth S. 2846 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Isakson - Medicaid coverage of transportation S. 2911 - Seniors Prescription Drug Relief Act of 2019 - Cassidy - Part D smoothing S. 3220 - Ensuring Access to Direct Support Professionals Act - Portman - Medicaid coverage in acute care hospitals S. 3238 - Preventive Home Visit Act - King - preventative home visits S. 3277 - HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Act - Casey - access to community based services S. 3353 - Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2020 - Cassidy - Medicare coverage of kidney transplant services S. 3384 - Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for America's Seniors and Families Act of 2020 - McSally - Medicare Part D drug pricing negotiation S. 3399 - FCHIP Extension Act - Tester - rural health S. 3442 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Booker - COVID-19 cost sharing S. 3443 - Improving Coverage and Care for Mothers Act - Casey - Medicaid coverage for all pregnant and postpartum women S. 3447 - RUSH Act of 2020 - Thune - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments S. 3466 - ACCESS for Biosimilars Act of 2020 - McSally - eliminates cost sharing for biosimilar biological products furnished under part B of the Medicare program S. 3615 - Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2020 - Murkowski - rural community hospital demonstration program S. 3665 - Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2020 - Alexander - Medicare hospital payments S. 3750 - Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020 - Shaheen - COVID S. 3881 - CHIPPER Act - Casey - CHIP, COVID S. 3998 - HEALTH Act of 2020 - Hyde-Smith - telehealth S. 3999 - Mental and Behavioral Health Connectivity Act - King - Mental Health S. 4108 - A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase Federal support to State Medicaid programs during economic downturns - Casey - FMAP Regulatory Issues: Ongoing implementation issues for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug programs, including risk adjustment methodology, network adequacy and provider directories, encounter data and other data-related issues, and risk adjustment data validation (RADV) audit issues including proposed RADV regulation for MA; bidding and payment issues (including MA rate assumptions, MA coding intensity, MA Secondary Payer issues, Part D reinsurance, Part D low income subsidies, Part D direct and indirect remuneration (DIR), and audits); calendar year 2021 policy and technical regulation for MA and Part D; MA and Part D proposed rule on drug pricing changes for 2020; Part D reform, out of pocket limits; issues related to Medicare for All, Medicare buy-in and public option; CMSs price transparency proposal for direct-to-consumer advertisements; issues relating to 2021 Rate Notice and Call Letter; issues related to MLTSS; issues related to proposed changes to removal of safe harbor protection for rebates (proposed rule); issues relating to COVID-19; issues related to audio-only telehealth; issues related to addressing the social determinants of health, including housing, transportation, nutrition, and educational opportunities; issues related to Medicaid presumptive eligibility and continuous eligibility; issues relating to Medicaid best price; in-home health risk assessments; Medicare Medical Loss Ratio issues; implementation of sequestration under the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs; implications of the health insurer fee for MA and Part D plans; application process, audits to evaluate compliance with MA and Part D program rules, benefit design rules, enrollment rules, requirements for notice and denial forms, marketing materials review and approval, marketing activities, including conduct and compensation of brokers and agents and plan sponsor marketing staff; measurement and oversight of plan performance including Special Needs Plans (SNPs); quality measures, grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance including training; contracting issues for Dual Eligible SNPs; Federal preemption of State authority under MA and Part D programs, Part D prescription drug event data reporting, Part D formulary rules, Part D pharmacy access standards, Part D coverage gap discount program, including employer group waiver plan (EGWP) issues, and other operational issues; issues raised by Part D coverage of new specialty drugs, the Part D non-interference policy and related issues (e.g., preferred pharmacy and any willing pharmacy requirements, standards for network pharmacy reimbursement, and policies regarding sponsor negotiation of pharmacy price concessions); issues related to the international price index; issues related to child and maternal health; issues related to Medicaid supplemental and disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding; issues related to Medicaid funding for territories; issues related to medical management; issues relating to MA supplemental benefits; Medication Therapy Management Program requirements and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Demonstration; MA EGWP issues; CMMI's value-based insurance design (VBID) demonstration; Part D requirements for offering basic and enhanced alternative plans; MA and Part D systems issues affecting enrollment and disenrollment processing and payment and other operational issues; issues relating to MA and Part D Star Rating system including measures, the methodology for calculating ratings, and the role of the ratings for payment purposes; implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 changes to the Part D coverage gap; functionality of the Medicare Personal Plan Finder and Drug Plan Finder; National Medicare Education Program; Medicare demonstration program on performance-based payments for physician groups; physician quality reporting initiative; issues relating to Medicare coverage policy and national coverage decisions; new payment system for physicians under MACRA, including implications for MA and Part D plans; Medicare clinical trials; Medicare/Medicaid integration for dual eligibles, including implementation of the Capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration and related issues (e.g., quality ratings); Medicaid managed care regulations and policies, including CMS's substantial revisions to the managed care regulations, mental health parity rules, the Medicaid managed care actuarial soundness standard, quality oversight, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance, beneficiary information requirements, treatment of Medicaid health plan member hospital days in the upper payment limit calculation; policies affecting State Medicaid funding, including block grants, the calculation of the federal medical assistance (federal matching) percentage (FMAP), and intergovernmental transfers (IGTs); coordination of benefits with state Medicaid programs; Medicaid prescription drug cost issues affecting Medicaid health plans including issues raised by Medicaid coverage of new specialty drugs; health plan-related Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) issues, including eligibility and outreach issues and CHIP reauthorization; implementation of Medicaid changes made in Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, including Medicaid managed care organization provider tax issues; standards for electronic prescribing; implementation of Medicaid changes of interest to Medicaid health plans made in the ACA including Medicaid expansion, the managed care organization (MCO) prescription drug rebate provisions, minimum payments to primary care providers (PCPs), interactions between the Medicaid program and health insurance exchanges, and Medicaid and CHIP maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements; implications of the health insurer fee for Medicaid health plans; issues related to Medicaid Managed long-term care including home and community-based waiver services (HCBS); expanding the availability of Medicare Advantage and Medicaid health plan telemedicine programs; implications of the new non-discrimination rules for health plans participating in public programs; issues related to Medigap coverage; issues related to business continuity in relation to pandemics or natural events (e.g., hurricane, tornado, etc.); cybersecurity; provider directories; value-based insurance design models; issues relating to prescription drug price blueprint; Part D prescriber enrollment requirements; Part D recovery audit contractor programs; issues relating to enrollment of beneficiaries with ESRD into MA plans; issues related to health homes for children with medically complex conditions; socioeconomic status impacts on star ratings related to MA and Part D programs; and other issues relating to health care reform implementation.

S. 518/H.R. 1948 - Lymphedema Treatment Act of 2019 S. 1037/H.R. 2788 - Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019 S. 296/H.R. 2150 - Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act S. 237/H.R. 808 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 900 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2019 S. 1399/H.R. 728 - Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019 S. 2842/H.R. 3911 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2019 S. 1895 - Lower Health Care Costs Act H.R. 3107 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 H.R. 3630 - No Surprises Act H.R. 3925 - Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act S.2074/H.R. 2482 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2019 H.R. 3 - Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act H.R. 4974 - Medication Access and Training Expansion Act of 2019 Executive Order 13890 - Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation's Seniors S. 2741/H.R. 4932 - Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 S. 2971 - CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2019 H.R. 19 - Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 S. 2543 - Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 647 - Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act H.R. 748 (P.L. 116-136) - CARES Act S. 3548 - CARES Act H.R. 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 6704 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act H.R. 6379 - Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act H.R. 6159 - Kids' Access to Primary Care Act of 2020 H.R. 6164 - Perinatal Workforce Act of 2020 H.R. 5826 - Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020 H.R. 5800 - Ban Surprise Billing Act H.R. 3436 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act H.R. 5575 - Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act S. Res. 500/H. Res. 859 - A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the "International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife", as designated by the World Health Organization H.R. 6800 - The HEROES Act H.R. 6809 - Nurse Workforce Protection Act of 2020 H.R. 6650/S. 3634 - Health Heroes 2020 Act S. 4055 - A bill to address health workforce shortages and disparities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic through additional funding for the National Health Service Corps and the Nurse Corps, and to establish a National Health Service Corps Emergency Service demonstration project H.R. 266 - Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act S. 3993 - A bill to permit a licensed health care provider to provide health care services to individuals in one or more States in which the provider is not licensed S. 4088 - The Ensuring Access to Primary Care for Women & Children Act H.R. 1329 - the Medicaid Reentry Act Increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding to states Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements COVID-19 Pandemic relief: funding, removal of barriers, telehealth, mental health, personal protective equipment, and testing Telehealth pertaining to home health care COVID-19 Pandemic Reducing Regulatory Burdens, including those relating to home infusion therapy, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and hospice certification Medication-Assisted Therapies (MATs) Opioid Abuse Epidemic Documentation of medical records Rural Health Issues Provider Non-Discrimination Issues relating to Mental and Substance Use Disorder Workforce Training Demonstration implementation

H.R. 1329, the Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 1839, the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act Executive Order Protecting and Improving Medicare for our Nations Seniors.

Client expense: $162,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1920 - Medicaid Bump Act - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide a higher Federal matching rate for increased expenditures under Medicaid for mental and behavioral health services, and for other purposes. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported S 824/HR 1767 - Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act This legislation would extend and expand the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration, which is set to end in mid-2019. Supported the Parity Enforcement Act (HR 2848). This legislation would give the U.S. Department of Labor authority to levy civil monetary penalties against health insurers and plan sponsors for parity violations of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported S.1012/ HR 2062 Protecting Jessica Grubbs Legacy Act/ Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to protect the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records. Supported HR 4974: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (HR 2339) which would, among other things, amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the sale and marketing of tobacco products Supported HR 4742, Protecting American Lungs Act, a bill to impose a tax on nicotine used in e-cigarettes. Supported HR 5632, The FDA Accountability for Public Safety Act, which would require the FDA Commissioner to make the final decision on drug approvals if the advisory committee advises against approval, among other things. Advocated for the addiction of a Medicaid Provider Status requirement on any new State Opioid Response Grant funding Advocated for the use of audio-visual telehealth for initation of new OTP patients to be treated with methadone Advocated for an increase in the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit Advocated for telehealth buprenorphine initiation as an exception to Ryan Haight Advocated for addiction CMS guidance and coverage related to telehealth Advocated to allow Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) to operate mobile units without requiring them to obtain a separate registration as well as more flexibility regarding take-home medications dispensed from an OTP Advocated for $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19 Advocated for inclusion of provisions in HR 748 of the CARES Act, related to the Opioid Workforce Act, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Medicaid Reentry, emergency health care provider relief funds, reform of 42 CFR Part 2, amont other ASAM priorities Advocated for eventual filing of the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act (S. 4103). For purposes of prescribing Schedule III and IV medications, including buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder, the TREATS Act would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement. The TREATS Act would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, substance use disorder telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1920 - Medicaid Bump Act - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide a higher Federal matching rate for increased expenditures under Medicaid for mental and behavioral health services, and for other purposes. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported S 824/HR 1767 - Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act This legislation would extend and expand the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration, which is set to end in mid-2019. Supported the Parity Enforcement Act (HR 2848). This legislation would give the U.S. Department of Labor authority to levy civil monetary penalties against health insurers and plan sponsors for parity violations of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported S.1012/ HR 2062 Protecting Jessica Grubbs Legacy Act/ Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to protect the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records. Supported HR 4974: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (HR 2339) which would, among other things, amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the sale and marketing of tobacco products Supported HR 4742, Protecting American Lungs Act, a bill to impose a tax on nicotine used in e-cigarettes. Supported HR 5632, The FDA Accountability for Public Safety Act, which would require the FDA Commissioner to make the final decision on drug approvals if the advisory committee advises against approval, among other things. Advocated for the addiction of a Medicaid Provider Status requirement on any new State Opioid Response Grant funding Advocated for the use of audio-visual telehealth for initation of new OTP patients to be treated with methadone Advocated for an increase in the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit Advocated for telehealth buprenorphine initiation as an exception to Ryan Haight Advocated for addiction CMS guidance and coverage related to telehealth Advocated to allow Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) to operate mobile units without requiring them to obtain a separate registration as well as more flexibility regarding take-home medications dispensed from an OTP Advocated for $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19 Advocated for inclusion of provisions in HR 748 of the CARES Act, related to the Opioid Workforce Act, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Medicaid Reentry, emergency health care provider relief funds, reform of 42 CFR Part 2, amont other ASAM priorities Advocated for eventual filing of the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act (S. 4103). For purposes of prescribing Schedule III and IV medications, including buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder, the TREATS Act would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement. The TREATS Act would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, substance use disorder telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1920 - Medicaid Bump Act - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide a higher Federal matching rate for increased expenditures under Medicaid for mental and behavioral health services, and for other purposes. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported S 824/HR 1767 - Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act This legislation would extend and expand the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration, which is set to end in mid-2019. Supported the Parity Enforcement Act (HR 2848). This legislation would give the U.S. Department of Labor authority to levy civil monetary penalties against health insurers and plan sponsors for parity violations of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported S.1012/ HR 2062 Protecting Jessica Grubbs Legacy Act/ Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to protect the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records. Supported HR 4974: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (HR 2339) which would, among other things, amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the sale and marketing of tobacco products Supported HR 4742, Protecting American Lungs Act, a bill to impose a tax on nicotine used in e-cigarettes. Supported HR 5632, The FDA Accountability for Public Safety Act, which would require the FDA Commissioner to make the final decision on drug approvals if the advisory committee advises against approval, among other things. Advocated for the addiction of a Medicaid Provider Status requirement on any new State Opioid Response Grant funding Advocated for the use of audio-visual telehealth for initation of new OTP patients to be treated with methadone Advocated for an increase in the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit Advocated for telehealth buprenorphine initiation as an exception to Ryan Haight Advocated for addiction CMS guidance and coverage related to telehealth Advocated to allow Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) to operate mobile units without requiring them to obtain a separate registration as well as more flexibility regarding take-home medications dispensed from an OTP Advocated for $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19 Advocated for inclusion of provisions in HR 748 of the CARES Act, related to the Opioid Workforce Act, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Medicaid Reentry, emergency health care provider relief funds, reform of 42 CFR Part 2, amont other ASAM priorities Advocated for eventual filing of the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act (S. 4103). For purposes of prescribing Schedule III and IV medications, including buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder, the TREATS Act would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement. The TREATS Act would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, substance use disorder telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1920 - Medicaid Bump Act - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide a higher Federal matching rate for increased expenditures under Medicaid for mental and behavioral health services, and for other purposes. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported S 824/HR 1767 - Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act This legislation would extend and expand the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration, which is set to end in mid-2019. Supported the Parity Enforcement Act (HR 2848). This legislation would give the U.S. Department of Labor authority to levy civil monetary penalties against health insurers and plan sponsors for parity violations of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported S.1012/ HR 2062 Protecting Jessica Grubbs Legacy Act/ Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to protect the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records. Supported HR 4974: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (HR 2339) which would, among other things, amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the sale and marketing of tobacco products Supported HR 4742, Protecting American Lungs Act, a bill to impose a tax on nicotine used in e-cigarettes. Supported HR 5632, The FDA Accountability for Public Safety Act, which would require the FDA Commissioner to make the final decision on drug approvals if the advisory committee advises against approval, among other things. Advocated for the addiction of a Medicaid Provider Status requirement on any new State Opioid Response Grant funding Advocated for the use of audio-visual telehealth for initation of new OTP patients to be treated with methadone Advocated for an increase in the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit Advocated for telehealth buprenorphine initiation as an exception to Ryan Haight Advocated for addiction CMS guidance and coverage related to telehealth Advocated to allow Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) to operate mobile units without requiring them to obtain a separate registration as well as more flexibility regarding take-home medications dispensed from an OTP Advocated for $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19 Advocated for inclusion of provisions in HR 748 of the CARES Act, related to the Opioid Workforce Act, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Medicaid Reentry, emergency health care provider relief funds, reform of 42 CFR Part 2, amont other ASAM priorities Advocated for eventual filing of the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act (S. 4103). For purposes of prescribing Schedule III and IV medications, including buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder, the TREATS Act would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement. The TREATS Act would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, substance use disorder telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1920 - Medicaid Bump Act - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide a higher Federal matching rate for increased expenditures under Medicaid for mental and behavioral health services, and for other purposes. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported S 824/HR 1767 - Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act This legislation would extend and expand the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration, which is set to end in mid-2019. Supported the Parity Enforcement Act (HR 2848). This legislation would give the U.S. Department of Labor authority to levy civil monetary penalties against health insurers and plan sponsors for parity violations of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported S.1012/ HR 2062 Protecting Jessica Grubbs Legacy Act/ Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to protect the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records. Supported HR 4974: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (HR 2339) which would, among other things, amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the sale and marketing of tobacco products Supported HR 4742, Protecting American Lungs Act, a bill to impose a tax on nicotine used in e-cigarettes. Supported HR 5632, The FDA Accountability for Public Safety Act, which would require the FDA Commissioner to make the final decision on drug approvals if the advisory committee advises against approval, among other things. Advocated for the addiction of a Medicaid Provider Status requirement on any new State Opioid Response Grant funding Advocated for the use of audio-visual telehealth for initation of new OTP patients to be treated with methadone Advocated for an increase in the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit Advocated for telehealth buprenorphine initiation as an exception to Ryan Haight Advocated for addiction CMS guidance and coverage related to telehealth Advocated to allow Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) to operate mobile units without requiring them to obtain a separate registration as well as more flexibility regarding take-home medications dispensed from an OTP Advocated for $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19 Advocated for inclusion of provisions in HR 748 of the CARES Act, related to the Opioid Workforce Act, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Medicaid Reentry, emergency health care provider relief funds, reform of 42 CFR Part 2, amont other ASAM priorities Advocated for eventual filing of the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act (S. 4103). For purposes of prescribing Schedule III and IV medications, including buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder, the TREATS Act would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement. The TREATS Act would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, substance use disorder telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation

Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1920 - Medicaid Bump Act - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide a higher Federal matching rate for increased expenditures under Medicaid for mental and behavioral health services, and for other purposes. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported S 824/HR 1767 - Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act This legislation would extend and expand the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration, which is set to end in mid-2019. Supported the Parity Enforcement Act (HR 2848). This legislation would give the U.S. Department of Labor authority to levy civil monetary penalties against health insurers and plan sponsors for parity violations of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Supported S.1012/ HR 2062 Protecting Jessica Grubbs Legacy Act/ Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to protect the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records. Supported HR 4974: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported 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. Supported the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (HR 2339) which would, among other things, amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the sale and marketing of tobacco products Supported HR 4742, Protecting American Lungs Act, a bill to impose a tax on nicotine used in e-cigarettes. Supported HR 5632, The FDA Accountability for Public Safety Act, which would require the FDA Commissioner to make the final decision on drug approvals if the advisory committee advises against approval, among other things. Advocated for the addiction of a Medicaid Provider Status requirement on any new State Opioid Response Grant funding Advocated for the use of audio-visual telehealth for initation of new OTP patients to be treated with methadone Advocated for an increase in the DATA 2000 waiver patient limit Advocated for telehealth buprenorphine initiation as an exception to Ryan Haight Advocated for addiction CMS guidance and coverage related to telehealth Advocated to allow Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) to operate mobile units without requiring them to obtain a separate registration as well as more flexibility regarding take-home medications dispensed from an OTP Advocated for $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19 Advocated for inclusion of provisions in HR 748 of the CARES Act, related to the Opioid Workforce Act, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Medicaid Reentry, emergency health care provider relief funds, reform of 42 CFR Part 2, amont other ASAM priorities Advocated for eventual filing of the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act (S. 4103). For purposes of prescribing Schedule III and IV medications, including buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder, the TREATS Act would make permanent a new, audio-video, telehealth evaluation exception to the Ryan Haight Acts in-person exam requirement. The TREATS Act would also clarify Medicares continued ability, beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reimburse for audio-only, substance use disorder telehealth services after an in-person or telehealth evaluation

H.R. 3107 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 - DelBene - prior authorization in Medicare Advantage H.R. 3925 - Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act - Tonko - Opioids H.R. 3935 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Carter - Medicaid coverage for transportation H.R. 4453 - Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act of 2019 - Ruiz -Distributing information to Medicare beneficiaries to prevent fraud H.R. 4529 - Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2019 - Maloney - Medicaid H.R. 4583 - Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 - Schneider - prescription drug affordability H.R. 4620 - More Help for Seniors Act of 2019 - Rose - expand eligibility for low-income subsidies under part D of the Medicare program H.R. 4621 - Collecting and Analyzing Resources Integral and Necessary for Guidance for Social Determinants Act of 2019 - Blunt Rochester - best practices re social determinants of health H.R. 4629 - Star Rating for Biosimilars Act - Tonko - biosimilars H.R. 4632 - Better Transparency in Information for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019 - Kind - provides consumers information regarding premiums under LIS benchmark plans H.R. 4671 - Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act - Kim - Medicare affordability and low income beneficiaries H.R. 5006 - Expanding Access to Inpatient Mental Health Act - Emmer - Medicaid coverage for SUD/mental health for institutionalized H.R. 5201 - Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019 - Matsui - Medicare coverage of mental telehealth H.R. 5232 - Road to Recovery Act - Fitzpatrick - Medicaid and CHIP SUD treatment H.R. 5693 - Primary Health Services Enhancement Act - Kind - Medicare rural health H.R. 5808 - Save Rural Communities Act of 2020 - Jodey Arrington - rural emergency medical access services under Medicare H.R. 5833 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the use of certain psychological evaluation via telehealth for Medicare coverage of neurostimulation services for the treatment of chronic pain - Latta - Medicare coverage in telehealth H.R. 5882 - GENE Therapy Payment Act - Schrader - value based care H.R. 6098 - To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to allow States to expand income eligibility standards under the Children's Health Insurance Program -Barragan - CHIP eligibility H.R. 6151 - CARING for Kids Act - Abby Fineknauer - CHIP H.R. 6179 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 - Cardenas - payments to providers of biosimilars under Medicare H.R. 6209 - Reducing Unnecessary Senior Hospitalizations Act of 2020 or the RUSH Act of 2020 -Kuster - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments H.R. 6244 - To amend titles XVIII and XIX to provide for coverage at no cost sharing of COVID-19 testing under the Medicaid program and Children's Health Insurance Program - Kelly - Medicaid coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6263 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to waive cost sharing under the Medicare program for certain visits relating to testing for COVID-19 -Sarbanes - Medicare coverage of COVID-19 related visits and testing H.R. 6273 - Protecting Vulnerable Americans in Times of Crisis Act of 2020 - Butterfield - FMAP H.R. 6311 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Ruiz - COVID-19 cost sharing H.R. 6336 - To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to provide for a waiver of payment reductions under the Medicare and Medicaid programs for certain nonapproved capital expenditures undertaken by health care facilities during the COVID-19 emergency - Bishop - Medicare and Medicaid payments during COVID-19 emergency S. 2846 - Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act - Isakson - Medicaid coverage of transportation S. 2911 - Seniors Prescription Drug Relief Act of 2019 - Cassidy - Part D smoothing S. 3220 - Ensuring Access to Direct Support Professionals Act - Portman - Medicaid coverage in acute care hospitals S. 3238 - Preventive Home Visit Act - King - preventative home visits S. 3277 - HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Act - Casey - access to community based services S. 3353 - Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2020 - Cassidy - Medicare coverage of kidney transplant services S. 3384 - Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for America's Seniors and Families Act of 2020 - McSally - Medicare Part D drug pricing negotiation S. 3399 - FCHIP Extension Act - Tester - rural health S. 3442 - Care for COVID-19 Act - Booker - COVID-19 cost sharing S. 3443 - Improving Coverage and Care for Mothers Act - Casey - Medicaid coverage for all pregnant and postpartum women S. 3447 - RUSH Act of 2020 - Thune - Medicare coverage for certain services in hospital emergency departments S. 3466 - ACCESS for Biosimilars Act of 2020 - McSally - eliminates cost sharing for biosimilar biological products furnished under part B of the Medicare program Regulatory Issues: Ongoing implementation issues for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug programs, including risk adjustment methodology, network adequacy and provider directories, encounter data and other data-related issues, and risk adjustment data validation (RADV) audit issues including proposed RADV regulation for MA; bidding and payment issues (including MA rate assumptions, MA coding intensity, MA Secondary Payer issues, Part D reinsurance, Part D low income subsidies, Part D direct and indirect remuneration (DIR), and audits); calendar year 2021 policy and technical regulation for MA and Part D; MA and Part D proposed rule on drug pricing changes for 2020; Part D reform, out of pocket limits; issues related to Medicare for All, Medicare buy-in and public option; CMSs price transparency proposal for direct-to-consumer advertisements; issues relating to 2021 Rate Notice and Call Letter; issues related to MLTSS; issues related to proposed changes to removal of safe harbor protection for rebates (proposed rule); issues relating to COVID-19; issues related to addressing the social determinants of health, including housing, transportation, nutrition, and educational opportunities; in-home health risk assessments; Medicare Medical Loss Ratio issues; implementation of sequestration under the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs; implications of the health insurer fee for MA and Part D plans; application process, audits to evaluate compliance with MA and Part D program rules, benefit design rules, enrollment rules, requirements for notice and denial forms, marketing materials review and approval, marketing activities, including conduct and compensation of brokers and agents and plan sponsor marketing staff; measurement and oversight of plan performance including Special Needs Plans (SNPs); quality measures, grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance including training; contracting issues for Dual Eligible SNPs; Federal preemption of State authority under MA and Part D programs, Part D prescription drug event data reporting, Part D formulary rules, Part D pharmacy access standards, Part D coverage gap discount program, including employer group waiver plan (EGWP) issues, and other operational issues; issues raised by Part D coverage of new specialty drugs, the Part D non-interference policy and related issues (e.g., preferred pharmacy and any willing pharmacy requirements, standards for network pharmacy reimbursement, and policies regarding sponsor negotiation of pharmacy price concessions); issues related to the international price index; issues related to child and maternal health; issues related to Medicaid supplemental and disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding; issues related to Medicaid funding for territories; issues related to medical management; issues relating to MA supplemental benefits; Medication Therapy Management Program requirements and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Demonstration; MA EGWP issues; CMMI's value-based insurance design (VBID) demonstration; Part D requirements for offering basic and enhanced alternative plans; MA and Part D systems issues affecting enrollment and disenrollment processing and payment and other operational issues; issues relating to MA and Part D Star Rating system including measures, the methodology for calculating ratings, and the role of the ratings for payment purposes; implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 changes to the Part D coverage gap; functionality of the Medicare Personal Plan Finder and Drug Plan Finder; National Medicare Education Program; Medicare demonstration program on performance-based payments for physician groups; physician quality reporting initiative; issues relating to Medicare coverage policy and national coverage decisions; new payment system for physicians under MACRA, including implications for MA and Part D plans; Medicare clinical trials; Medicare/Medicaid integration for dual eligibles, including implementation of the Capitated Financial Alignment Demonstration and related issues (e.g., quality ratings); Medicaid managed care regulations and policies, including CMS's substantial revisions to the managed care regulations, mental health parity rules, the Medicaid managed care actuarial soundness standard, quality oversight, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), grievance and appeals processes, fraud and abuse compliance, beneficiary information requirements, treatment of Medicaid health plan member hospital days in the upper payment limit calculation; policies affecting State Medicaid funding, including block grants, the calculation of the federal medical assistance (federal matching) percentage (FMAP), and intergovernmental transfers (IGTs); coordination of benefits with state Medicaid programs; Medicaid prescription drug cost issues affecting Medicaid health plans including issues raised by Medicaid coverage of new specialty drugs; health plan-related Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) issues, including eligibility and outreach issues and CHIP reauthorization; implementation of Medicaid changes made in Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, including Medicaid managed care organization provider tax issues; standards for electronic prescribing; implementation of Medicaid changes of interest to Medicaid health plans made in the ACA including Medicaid expansion, the managed care organization (MCO) prescription drug rebate provisions, minimum payments to primary care providers (PCPs), interactions between the Medicaid program and health insurance exchanges, and Medicaid and CHIP maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements; implications of the health insurer fee for Medicaid health plans; issues related to Medicaid Managed long-term care including home and community-based waiver services (HCBS); expanding the availability of Medicare Advantage and Medicaid health plan telemedicine programs; implications of the new non-discrimination rules for health plans participating in public programs; issues related to Medigap coverage; issues related to business continuity in relation to pandemics or natural events (e.g., hurricane, tornado, etc.); cybersecurity; provider directories; value-based insurance design models; issues relating to prescription drug price blueprint; Part D prescriber enrollment requirements; Part D recovery audit contractor programs; issues relating to enrollment of beneficiaries with ESRD into MA plans; issues related to health homes for children with medically complex conditions; socioeconomic status impacts on star ratings related to MA and Part D programs; and other issues relating to health care reform implementation.

S. 518/H.R. 1948 - Lymphedema Treatment Act of 2019 S. 1037/H.R. 2788 - Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019 S. 296/H.R. 2150 - Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act S. 237/H.R. 808 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 900 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2019 S. 1399/H.R. 728 - Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019 S. 2842/H.R. 3911 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2019 S. 1895 - Lower Health Care Costs Act H.R. 3107 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 H.R. 3630 - No Surprises Act H.R. 3925 - Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act S.2074/H.R. 2482 - Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2019 H.R. 3 - Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act H.R. 4974 - Medication Access and Training Expansion Act of 2019 Executive Order 13890 - Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation's Seniors S. 2741/H.R. 4932 - Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 S. 2971 - CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2019 H.R. 19 - Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 S. 2543 - Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 647 - Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act H.R. 748 (P.L. 116-136): CARES Act S. 3548: CARES Act H.R. 6201: Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 6704: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act H.R. 6379: Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act H.R. 6159: Kids' Access to Primary Care Act of 2020 H.R. 6164: Perinatal Workforce Act of 2020 H.R. 5826: Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2020 H.R. 5800: Ban Surprise Billing Act H.R. 3436: Chronic Care Management Improvement Act H.R. 5575: Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act S.Res. 500/H.Res. 859: A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the "International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife", as designated by the World Health Organization COVID-19 Pandemic Reducing Regulatory Burdens, including those relating to home infusion therapy, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and hospice certification Medication-Assisted Therapies (MATs) Opioid Abuse Epidemic Documentation of medical records Rural Health Issues Provider Non-Discrimination

H.R. 3925: Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, drug shortages

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $60,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE