President Biden Addresses Substance Use Disorder
We applaud the Biden administration for proposals as part of the Unity Agenda that prioritize beating the opioid crisis and creating better mental health for our nation. The administration proposes clear policies that are supported by evidence to bring providers into behavioral health, integrate mental health and substance use treatment into primary care settings and increase behavioral health navigation resources.
President Biden called for the country to "get rid of outdated rules that stop doctors from prescribing treatments" for substance use disorder which means removing barriers to prescribe buprenorphine, a treatment that improves outcomes significantly according to the evidence. Shatterproof released a report on buprenorphine availability in 2020 that found that 39% of counties in the United States do not have access to this medication. Patients often struggle to find physicians who are authorized to prescribe the medication. Less than 6% of providers in the U.S. have received the special waiver. Many prescribers do not pursue a waiver because of limited time, inadequate education about addiction medicine, or concern about opioid use disorder (OUD)-related stigma.
His commitment to increasing the number of providers who treat behavioral health is an urgent priority. To enable this, Congress should pass the MATE Act (H.R. 2067 / S. 2235) to ensure addiction training is provided to all who prescribe controlled substances.
Critically, President Biden also proposes to integrate mental health treatment into the primary care setting. Every state should heed this advice and cover the Collaborative Care Model, which is a treatment model with more than 70 randomized clinical trials proven to improve outcomes, in its Medicaid plan. There is also federal legislation, HR 5218, that would provide support to states to enact this model. Congress should pass this legislation as soon as possible.
Finally, the President announced a mental health strategy that will focus on youth resiliency. We must focus on policies that will promote good mental health for our youth and prevent future addiction.
These are critical policy opportunities that should be enacted as soon as possible.
Shatterproof has already been implementing solutions and has a roadmap to save more lives.
- Integrate care for mental health and substance use disorder into the primary care setting (the Collaborative Care Model). We are active in many states encouraging them to cover the Collaborative Care Model codes in their Medicaid plans and it is our goal for every state to do this.
- Bring training modules for addiction to medical schools and others. Shatterproof has worked closely with ASAM and the AMA to expand this.
- Invest in quality, evidence-based treatment
- Encourage treatment by reducing stigma (2021 Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index, the first of its kind, largest and most expansive survey ever fielded on addiction stigma, Shatterproof’s National Movement to End Addiction Stigma to break down stigma and offer recovery friendly workplaces, and Shatterproof’s Addiction Language Guide to end the use of stigmatizing language are great resources)
- Reduce overdose deaths and harm through evidence-based interventions
- Prevent addiction by investing in youth prevention
- Increase access to naloxone
Equally important to these policies and programs, Shatterproof offers free life-saving tools on our website, at our find help section, where individuals or loved ones can determine if it is time to seek treatment, the different types of treatment available, what level of care is needed, identifying the right treatment provider based on quality metrics, how to pay for treatment and support available as you or your loved one walks through this overwhelming time.
For further details or to speak with Kevin Roy, Chief Policy Officer please contact Holly Jespersen at 646-334-1024.
About Shatterproof:
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. Shatterproof harnesses the models of business, the rigor of science and the power of a national movement to create change and save lives through three pillars of work: revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas and supporting and empowering our communities. To learn more visit www.Shatterproof.org
