Bowling Green Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) expressed their satisfaction after the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee passed the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (MOTAA). This legislation aims to bring about the first major reform to methadone in fifty years and is supported by numerous medical professionals and organizations.

"Methadone for opioid use disorder is locked behind arcane laws that criminalize and stigmatize people in recovery," said Senators Paul and Markey in a joint statement. They emphasized that the current system, which restricts access to methadone, is costing lives and preventing individuals from receiving the treatment they need. The passage of the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act represents a crucial step towards reducing stigma, expanding access, and ultimately saving lives across the country.

The bipartisan effort to address this issue began in March when Senators Paul and Markey, along with Representatives Donald Norcross (NJ-01) and Don Bacon (NE-02), introduced the MOTAA in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate bill has garnered support from Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Mike Braun (R-IN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act seeks to allow board-certified addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry doctors registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to prescribe methadone that patients can pick up at a pharmacy. This legislation would remove the barriers that currently prevent individuals from accessing methadone treatment and bring about much-needed reform to the outdated federal laws surrounding the prescription of methadone.

The importance of this legislation cannot be overstated. By expanding access to methadone treatment, it is expected that more individuals struggling with opioid use disorder will be able to receive the help they need, regardless of where they live. This is a vital step in combating the opioid crisis that has ravaged communities across the United States.

The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act now awaits further action in Congress, with Senators Paul and Markey vowing to continue the fight until it is signed into law. Their efforts have received widespread support from clinicians and medical organizations who recognize the urgent need for reform in this area.

The passing of the MOTAA by the Senate HELP Committee is a significant milestone in the journey to address the opioid crisis. It is a testament to the effectiveness of bipartisan collaboration in tackling one of the most pressing public health issues of our time. As the nation continues to grapple with the devastating impact of opioid addiction, the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act presents a glimmer of hope for those seeking recovery and a brighter future.

For more information on the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, please visit the Senator Rand Paul website.

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For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.paul.senate.gov/senators-paul-markey-celebrate-bipartisan-committee-passage-of-lifesaving-methadone-expansion-legislation/