Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement on the new rule issued by the White House increasing the number of patients who qualified physicians who prescribe buprenorphine -- a medication-assisted treatment for heroin and opioid use disorders -- can treat from 100 to 275:
"As we continue our efforts to combat the heroin and opioid crisis, increasing medication-assisted treatment is an important part of our comprehensive approach that can help save lives. In New Hampshire, we have provided additional resources to providers across the state to support services such as medication-assisted treatment, and I commend the White House for supporting those efforts by increasing the number of patients that qualified physicians can treat with buprenorphine. In order to maximize the number of patients in New Hampshire who can receive medication-assisted treatment, I continue to urge Congress to amend federal law to allow medical professionals such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants to also prescribe opioid addiction treatment medication."
Last December, Governor Hassan and her fellow New England Governors called on Congress to help states expand access to treatment medication for those suffering from addiction to opioids, and in February, Governor Hassan and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, as Vice Chair and Chair of the National Governors Association Health and Human Services Committee, released the Governors' Priorities for Addressing the Nation's Opioid Crisis, which included expanding access to treatment.
In March, Governor Hassan brought forward and New Hampshire's Executive Council approved an $11.5 million contract to support patients, families, volunteers and providers across the state in battling addiction, including services such as withdrawal management, medication-assisted treatment and various 24/7 crisis services.