Bowling Green Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) are celebrating the bipartisan committee passage of the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (MOTAA), a legislation that would allow board-certified addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry doctors registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to prescribe methadone. This legislation would be the first major reform to methadone in fifty years and has received support from numerous clinicians and medical 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. "The experts and evidence are clear: this outdated system is costing lives, and we should no longer stand by as outdated federal law keeps people from treatment they need no matter where they live. We are pleased that our colleagues are joining with us in passing the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act. Together, we took an essential step toward reducing stigma, expanding access, and saving lives in communities all across the country. We will keep fighting until the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act is signed into law."

The MOTAA was introduced in March by Senators Paul and Markey, along with Representatives Donald Norcross (NJ-01) and Don Bacon (NE-02). It 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 passage of this legislation is seen as a crucial step towards improving access to treatment for individuals struggling with opioid addiction. Methadone has long been recognized as an effective medication for opioid use disorder, but restrictive regulations have made it difficult for patients to access this life-saving treatment.

By allowing qualified doctors to prescribe methadone that patients can pick up at a pharmacy, the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act aims to reduce stigma and expand access to treatment for opioid addiction. This legislation has the potential to save countless lives and make a significant impact on communities across the country.

The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act is now one step closer to becoming law, thanks to the bipartisan efforts of Senators Paul and Markey, as well as their colleagues in Congress. The next crucial step will be for the bill to be signed into law, ensuring that individuals in need have access to the treatment they require.

For more information on the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, you can visit the official website and read the full text of the legislation.

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To find out more, go to this link: https://www.paul.senate.gov/senators-paul-markey-celebrate-bipartisan-committee-passage-of-lifesaving-methadone-expansion-legislation/