Senator Justice, Senator Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Bill, No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act:

"When someone asks for help, the answer shouldn't be a stack of paperwork. This legislation cuts through the red tape and puts lifesaving addiction treatment where it belongs - in the hands of doctors for patients that need them. The No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act is commonsense, protects our families, and gives West Virginians and Americans a second chance at life," said Senator Jim Justice.

"The fentanyl crisis continues to devastate communities in New Hampshire and across the country, and when someone takes the courageous step to seek treatment, bureaucratic red tape should not stand in their way. Medication-assisted treatment is the gold standard for treating opioid use disorder, and this commonsense bipartisan bill will help ensure that people grappling with addiction have immediate access to this evidence-based, life-saving medication. I am grateful for Senator Justice's partnership on this bipartisan effort to remove barriers to treatment and help save lives," said Senator Maggie Hassan.

BACKGROUND:

• The No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act would eliminate prior authorization requirements for people with Medicaid coverage who need medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, removing a bureaucratic barrier that can leave patients waiting days to fill their prescriptions when every moment counts.
• This bipartisan bill requires that:

• All state Medicaid programs cover at least one formulation of each FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder without prior authorization, including long-acting injectable options when available.
• The Medicaid and CHIP Payment Advisory Commission issue a report to Congress examining how states use utilization management controls - such as dosing limits, age restrictions, counseling requirements, or psychological screening - for MAT, and how these controls may burden clinicians. The report must also identify other state or federal Medicaid policies that hinder access to treatment.

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