Hassan speaks at White House on opioid treatment measure

WASHINGTON (WCAX) - New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan joined White House officials Tuesday to celebrate the passage of a new law aimed at giving those addicted to opiates easier access to treatment.

The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act eliminates what’s known as the “X-waiver,” which lawmakers say has blocked millions of health professionals from prescribing buprenorphine to their patients. The new measure allows providers to prescribe medication-assisted treatment as they would any other controlled substance.

“As we learn more about opioid use disorder, the necessary steps forward have never been more clear. Medication-assisted treatment coupled with counseling is the most effective treatment for patients who are grappling with opioid use disorder,” Hassan said during the bill’s signing.

Hassan sponsored the bipartisan legislation that was part of the recently passed spending package.

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