Legislative Action

Support the Lawmakers Who Support Increased Access to Healthcare

Every day, thousands of Americans seek treatment for opioid use disorder.  These are the states where US senators have shown support for telehealth-based OUD care and who we hope will support the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in Alaska?

Lisa Murkowski, Alaska’s senior U.S. Senator, is a third generation Alaskan proudly serving as the first Alaskan born senator. 

To ask Senator Murkowski to support the TREATs act, you can email her here and ask her for support by writing: 

‍Senator Murkowski: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in Maine?

Angus King is Maine’s first Independent United States Senator.

A strong advocate of bipartisan dialogue and relationship building, Senator King has worked to protect access to MOUD treatment. 

To ask Senator King to support the TREATs act, you can email him here and ask him for support by writing: 

‍Senator King: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in Maryland?

Chris Van Hollen is a United States Senator for the people of Maryland. Senator Van Hollen has fought to protect access to MOUD care.

Please ask Senator Van Hollen  to support the TREATs act, by emailing him at this address and asking him for support by writing: 

‍Senator Van Hollen: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in Massachusetts?

Elizabeth Warren is the Senator for the people of Massachusetts. She’s been an advocate for increasing access to MOUD treatment through telemedicine. 

Will you ask Senator Warren to support the TREATs act by emailing her here? You can for her support by writing: 

Senator Warren: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Senator Edward J. Markey represents the people in the great state of Massachusetts.

Senator Markey has worked to protect access to MOUD care.

Please ask him to support the TREATs act, by emailing him here and asking him for continued support, by writing: 

‍Dear Senator Markey: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in Minnesota?

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is the first woman elected to represent the State of Minnesota in the United States Senate.

Please ask Senator  Klobuchar to support the TREATs act by emailing her here? You can for her support by writing: 

‍Senator Klobuchar: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in New Mexico?

Martin Heinrich brings a unique perspective to the Senate, where he represents the people of the great state of New Mexico.

A strong advocate for common-sense legislation, Senator Heinrich has worked to protect access to MOUD treatment. 

Will you ask Senator Heinrich to support the TREATs act by sending him a email here and asking for his support by writing: 

Senator King: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act

Ben Ray Luján has represented New Mexico in the United States Senate since January 2021. As a former member of the House of Representative for New Mexico’s Third Congressional District, Mr. Luján has long supported common-sense legislation that protects access to MOUD treatment. 

Please ask Senator Luján  to support the TREATs act by sending him a email here and asking for his support by writing: 

Senator Luján: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in New Jersey?

Senator Bob Menendez grew up the son of Cuban immigrants in a tenement building in Union City and today he represents the people of New Jersey in the United States Senate. 

Senator Menendez has been an advocate for preserving access to MOUD care. 

Please ask Senator Menendez to support the TREATs act, by emailing him at this address and asking him for support by writing: 

Senator Menendez: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Senator Cory Booker represents the people of the great state of New Jersey in the United States Senate, and has been a supporter of expanded access to MOUD treatment. 

Please ask Senator Booker to support the TREATs act, by emailing him at this address and asking him for support by writing: 

‍Senator Van Hollen: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in the state of New Hampshire?

United States Senator Maggie Hassan represents the people of the great state of New Hampshire, and supports expanded access to MOUD treatment through telehealth.

Please ask Senator Hassan to support the TREATs act, by emailing her at this address and asking him for support by writing: 

Senator Hassan: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in the state of North Carolina?

North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis is committed to preserving the American Dream for the people of North Carolina and all Americans, and has supported common sense policies that protect telemedicine access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder.

Please ask Senator Tillis to support the TREATs act, by emailing him here, and ask him for support by writing: 

‍Senator Tillis: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in Ohio?

A lifelong Ohioan, Senator Sherrod Brown has spent his career fighting for the Dignity of Work. Senator Brown has also supported common sense policies that protect telemedicine access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder.

Please encourage Senator Brown to support the TREATs act, by emailing him here, and ask him for support by writing: 

‍Senator Brown: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in Oregon?

Jeff Merkley is Oregon’s “roots and boots” Senator—called that because of his deep Oregon roots and his boots on the ground. 

Senator Merkley has supported Oregonians having access to MOUD care via telemedicine. 

Now, we hope you’ll ask Senator Merkley to support the TREATs act, by emailing him at this address and asking him for support by writing: 

‍Senator Merkley: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in Rhode Island?

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is a fierce advocate for the people of Rhode Island and their progressive values.

Senator Whitehouse has been a supporter for expanding and preserving access to MOUD care via telemedicine. 

Now, we hope you’ll ask Senator Whitehouse to support the TREATs act, by emailing him at this address and asking him for support by writing: 

Senator Whitehouse: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in Virginia?

Senator Tim Kaine has helped people throughout his life as a missionary, civil rights lawyer, teacher, and elected official in the great state of Virginia. 

He has publicly advocated for preserving access to MOUD treatment via telemedicine. 

Please ask Senator Kaine to continue his support by endorsing the TREATs act. You can email Senator Kaine at this address and asking him for support with this note: 

Senator Kaine: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

Who is a supporter in West Virginia?

West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito believes that today's challenges demand bipartisan solutions. She’s been a supporter of commonsense policies that preserve access to quality telemedicine-based treatment for opioid use disorder and we hope that support continues. 

Please encourage Senator Capito to maintain her support for MOUD access via telehealth by endorsing the TREATs act. 

You can email Senator Capito at this address and asking her for support with this note: 

Senator Capito: Thank you for supporting access to medication for opioid use disorder through telemedicine. I hope you will continue to support this type of treatment by signing the TREATs Act.

What is the TREATs Act?

What is the TREATS Act? 

The TREATs Act stands for the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services Act. It is a bill that was introduced in the United States Congress in 2021. The bill would amend the Social Security Act to allow for the use of telehealth for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health services.

The TREATs Act would make it easier for people to access SUD treatment and mental health services by allowing them to receive these services through telehealth. Telehealth is the use of telecommunications technology to provide healthcare services remotely. This means that people could receive SUD treatment and mental health services from a clinician without having to travel to an in-person appointment.

The TREATs Act would also allow for the e-prescribing of medications for SUD treatment. E-prescribing is the electronic transmission of prescription information between a healthcare provider and a pharmacy. This would make it easier for people to get the medications they need for SUD treatment without having to go to the doctor's office in person.

The TREATs Act was passed by the House of Representatives in March 2021, but it has not yet been passed by the Senate. If it is passed by the Senate and signed into law, it would help to expand access to SUD treatment and mental health services in the United States.

Why does virtual access to OUD treatment matter? 

Improved access to care: Virtual access to OUD treatment can make it easier for people to get the care they need, regardless of their location or transportation options. This is especially important for people who live in rural areas or who have other barriers to accessing care, such as childcare or work commitments.

Reduced stigma: The stigma associated with OUD can make it difficult for people to seek treatment. Virtual access to treatment can help to reduce stigma by allowing people to receive care from the comfort of their own homes.

Improved outcomes: Studies have shown that virtual access to OUD treatment can be just as effective as in-person treatment. In some cases, it may even be more effective, as it can help people to stay connected to treatment and avoid relapse.

What access-related issues do patients with OUD face?

Here are some of the access-related issues that patients with OUD typically face, According to a study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse:

  • Transportation (40%): People with OUD may have difficulty getting to and from treatment appointments due to lack of transportation. This is especially a problem for people who live in rural areas or who do not have access to reliable public transportation.
  • Cost (38%): The cost of treatment can be a barrier for many people with OUD. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is the gold standard of care for OUD, can be expensive, even with insurance.
  • Lack of insurance (33%): People who do not have health insurance may not be able to afford treatment for OUD. This is a major problem, as MAT is often not covered by Medicaid or other government-funded programs.
  • Stigma (32%): The stigma associated with OUD can make it difficult for people to seek treatment. People may be afraid of being judged or discriminated against if they admit that they have a substance use disorder.
  • Childcare (28%): People who have children may have difficulty finding childcare while they are in treatment. This can be a major barrier, as treatment for OUD can be time-consuming and demanding.
  • ‍Work commitments (25%): People who work may have difficulty finding time to attend treatment appointments. This can be a problem, as treatment for OUD is often required to be consistent in order to be effective.

Why should access to Telemedicine be extended beyond the COVID public health emergency?

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that telemedicine can be a viable way to deliver healthcare services. During the pandemic, telemedicine was used to provide care for a variety of conditions, including OUD. This experience has shown that telemedicine can be effective and can help to improve access to care.

For all of these reasons, it is important to extend access to telemedicine-based OUD treatment beyond the COVID public health emergency. This will help to ensure that everyone who needs treatment can get it, regardless of their location or circumstances.