Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senators Rand Paul and Edward J. Markey are celebrating the bipartisan committee passage of the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (MOTAA). This legislation aims to allow board certified addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry doctors registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to prescribe methadone that patients could pick up at a pharmacy. The bipartisan bill represents a significant reform to methadone, the first in half a century, and has garnered support from hundreds of clinicians and medical organizations.

In a joint statement, Senators Paul and Markey emphasized the urgency and necessity of this legislation. They highlighted the current barriers and challenges faced by individuals seeking methadone treatment for opioid use disorder, stating, "Methadone for opioid use disorder is locked behind arcane laws that criminalize and stigmatize people in recovery." They further emphasized that the outdated federal laws are costing lives and preventing individuals from accessing the treatment they urgently need.

Expressing their satisfaction with the committee's decision, the senators recognize the importance of reducing stigma, expanding access, and ultimately saving lives in communities across the country. They expressed their gratitude for their colleagues' support and commitment to passing the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, calling it an essential step towards addressing the opioid crisis.

The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act was introduced earlier this year by Senators Paul and Markey, along with Representatives Donald Norcross and Don Bacon. The bill has received bipartisan and bicameral support, with cosponsors including Senators Bernie Sanders, Mike Braun, Cory Booker, Maggie Hassan, Ben Ray Luján, Peter Welch, Mike Lee, and Elizabeth Warren.

The passage of this legislation is a significant milestone in the fight against the opioid epidemic. By removing the barriers and restrictions that currently hinder access to methadone treatment, more individuals struggling with opioid use disorder will have the opportunity to receive the care they need.

For more information on the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, please visit the official website.

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Click this link to access more information: https://www.paul.senate.gov/senators-paul-markey-celebrate-bipartisan-committee-passage-of-lifesaving-methadone-expansion-legislation/