To provide that the final rule of the Department of Health and Human Services titled "Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder", except for the portion of the final rule relating to accreditation of opioid treatment programs, shall have no force or effect.
To provide that the final rule of the Department of Health and Human Services titled "Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder", except for the portion of the final rule relating to accreditation of opioid treatment programs, shall have no force or effect.
Plain Language Summary
# HR 5629 Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would cancel most of a new federal rule about treating opioid addiction that the Department of Health and Human Services issued in February 2024. If passed, it would eliminate flexibilities that were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, including allowing patients to receive take-home doses of addiction medications earlier in treatment, using telehealth (video visits) for patient intake, and permitting certain dose-splitting practices. The bill would also reinstate a requirement that patients show at least one year of documented opioid misuse before being admitted to treatment programs. **Who It Affects:** This primarily affects people with opioid use disorder seeking treatment, as well as healthcare providers and opioid treatment programs that administer medications like methadone and buprenorphine.
The changes could make it harder for some patients to access treatment quickly or conveniently, particularly those in rural areas or those unable to travel frequently for in-person visits. **Current Status:** HR 5629 is currently in committee and has not advanced further in the legislative process. It was introduced by Representative Erin Houchin (R-IN) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
This bill nullifies part of the final rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) titled Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder and published on February 2, 2024.The rule incorporated into regulations certain flexibilities for opioid treatment that were initially implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The bill nullifies these flexibilities, including (1) expanded flexibility for patients in their first or second month of treatment to receive take-home doses of methadone, (2) flexibility to use telehealth examinations to admit patients for treatment involving buprenorphine or methadone, and (3) expanded access to evidence-based practices such as splitting doses for certain patients. Pursuant to a statutory requirement, the rule also allowed patients to be admitted to an opioid treatment program without having to show at least a one-year history of opioid misuse. The bill nullifies these provisions of the rule.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.