Federal / APA Update

Mental Health Care in the United States – The Case for Federal Action
 
The United States Committee on Finance has released a report This report to understand the behavioral health challenges in America. The purpose of the report is to support the current bipartisan initiative being undertaken by the Committee to improve behavioral health for Americans covered under federal health programs. The Committee takes a broad view of behavioral health to include both mental health conditions and SUD, reflecting the reality that mental health and SUD are often, though not always, co-occurring. You may view the report here

Senators Portman and Whitehouse Write Becerra re Medication and Telehealth

“We urge the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to use its authority under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 (Ryan Haight Act) (Public Law 91-513) to issue a rule that will ensure patients can continue to access vital medication via telehealth once the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) is terminated. Prior to the PHE, patients could not access medication assisted treatment via telehealth, leaving gaps in access and exacerbating disparities in substance use disorder treatment. Waivers allowing telehealth prescribing during the pandemic have addressed these barriers and we encourage the agency to make them permanent.” Read the entire letter here.

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