Dear Members of the 118th Congress:
We, the undersigned stakeholders, representing a diverse array of organizations dedicated to enhancing access to high-quality addiction care, express our disappointment at the omission of critical addiction and mental health policies in the recently passed
minibus package. We call on the 118th Congress to pass S. 3393 - the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act and S. 644 - the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (“MOTAA”), which have passed the Senate HELP Committee with strong
bipartisan support.
The enactment of the SUPPORT Act over five years ago marked a bipartisan triumph. The SUPPORT Act reauthorizes key federal programs to address the opioid epidemic and support patients with substance use disorders. With a predicted 111,000 plus drug overdose
deaths in the U.S. during the 12-month period ending September 2023, those programs are more critical now than ever.
In addition, MOTAA would expand access to methadone, a life-saving medication that is proven to significantly reduce the risk of fatal overdose for those suffering from opioid use disorder (OUD). MOTAA is a measured, bipartisan bill that would allow addiction
specialist physicians to prescribe this highly effective medication for the treatment of OUD and allow patients to pick up this medication in pharmacies. Methadone is particularly critical in combatting the threat of fentanyl. Studies have shown that
for those receiving methadone treatment for OUD, fentanyl positivity declines sharply.
Our nation’s escalating addiction and overdose crisis demands urgent action. Record numbers of Americans are succumbing to addiction and overdose, largely fueled by illicitly manufactured fentanyl, further complicated by substances, such as xylazine and
methamphetamine. Reversing this trend requires comprehensive utilization of all available tools in our toolbox.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We remain committed to working together for the well-being of our nation and urgently request your courageous leadership.
Sincerely,
A New PATH
Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center
AIDS Foundation Chicago
American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP)
American College of Academic Addiction Medicine (ACAAM)
American College of Medical Toxicology
(ACMT)
American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM)
American Psychological Association Services
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
AMERSA
Any Positive Change, Inc.
Arizonans For Transparency and Accountability In Corrections
Being Alive - LA
Big Cities Health Coalition
Boston Medical Center
California Consortium of Addiction Programs & Professionals
Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition
Center for Adolescent Behavioral Health Research, Boston Children's Hospital
Community Catalyst
Detroit Recovery Project
Dream.Org
Drug Policy Alliance
Due Process Institute
Faces and Voices of Recovery
Families
On the Move of NYC, Inc.
Fox Valley Perinatology
FreedomWorks
REDC Consortium
Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
Hawai'i Health & Harm Reduction Center
Hep Free Hawai'i
HIV Alliance
Honoring Individual Power
and Strength
iHOPE-Intentional Holistic Opportunities to Promote Empowerment, Inc.
Illinois Harm Reduction & Recovery Coalition
Illinois Society of Addiction Medicine
Inseparable
International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium
JOLT Foundation
Lake Charles Addiction and Wellness Center
Louisiana Society of Addiction Medicine
Massachusetts General Brigham
Massachusetts Medical Society
Massachusetts Society of Addiction Medicine
Mental Health
America
Monogram Medical, PC
National Commission on Correctional Health Care
National Health Care for the Homeless Council
National Safety Council
New York Society of Addiction Medicine
One World Recovery Network
Overdose Crisis Response Fund
Overdose Prevention Initiative
Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Network
People, Place & Health Collective at Brown University
Michigan Society of Addiction Medicine
Progressive Leadership Alliance
of Nevada
Public Justice Center
R Street Institute
Reassemble Education & Training, Inc.
Retinc
RI International
Sana Healing Collective
Shatterproof
SMART Recovery
Tapestry Health Systems, Inc.
Tennessee Justice
Center
Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine
The Black Cat Coffee House
The Kennedy Forum
The Porchlight Collective SAP
Today I Matter, Inc.
Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities
Vital Strategies
Washington
Society of Addiction Medicine
Wisconsin Society of Addiction Medicine
Young People in Recovery
View a PDF version of this letter here.
