AMA welcomes expanded access to treatment for substance use disorder

Statement attributable to:
Bobby Mukkamala, MD
President, American Medical Association

"The American Medical Association (AMA) welcomes new federal efforts to expand access to substance use disorder treatment, recovery support, and mental health care.

"Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy's announcement includes new funding and initiatives to strengthen access to mental health programs and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), which are critical components of a comprehensive approach to addressing the overdose and death epidemic.

"The AMA also supports HHS efforts to streamline access to MOUD for parents with opioid use disorder to help prevent their children from entering foster care, an approach that has the potential to improve outcomes for parents and families. Medications such as buprenorphine and methadone are proven, life-saving treatments and should be accessible without unnecessary barriers for patients who need them.

"The AMA welcomes this focus on expanding access to evidence-based treatment and looks forward to reviewing additional details as these initiatives move forward."