Reps. Higgins & Kelly Introduce 'medicare Opioid Use Disorder Outreach Act'

Press Release

This week, Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) introduced bipartisan legislation that will improve health care outcomes of beneficiaries living with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) by ensuring the providers and beneficiaries alike are aware of the effective treatment options covered under Medicare.

H.R. 8884, The Medicare Opioid Use Disorder Outreach Act, directs the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct educational outreach to Medicare-participating health care providers to increase awareness and access to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment services for Medicare beneficiaries.

"Tackling Opioid Use Disorder is complex, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made the challenges associated with addiction more difficult to contend with," said Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26). "This measure will provide physicians with the tools to expand community access to live-saving treatments that lead to recovery. I am proud to join in leading this legislation that will make a difference for countless families in Western New York and across the country."

"Very sadly, communities across the country are all too familiar with the opioid crisis that continues to plague our nation. Watching a neighbor or loved one suffer from a substance use crisis is hard enough. Struggling to get treatment from providers when the existing coverage and service options are unclear is even harder", Rep. Kelly said. "This bill provides doctors and their patients with the tools they need so our communities can heal. I am proud to lead the Medicare Opioid Use Disorder Outreach Act and look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this bipartisan legislation."

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