Senate introduces companion to Opioid Workforce Act

Last week, Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, introduced bipartisan legislation to add 1,000 Medicare-funded training positions to approved residency programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry or pain management. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 21 million people needed substance use treatment in 2016, but only 3.8 million received any treatment. One reason was the shortage of physicians prepared to treat substance use disorders. The American Hospital Association supports the legislation. The House bill, sponsored by Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., cleared the Ways and Means Committee in June. (Greater New York Hospital Association position statement, 11/20/19)