Information Resources for Policy
Shares a policy, announced August 8, 2018, guiding the authorization of alternative, non-opioid pain management treatments and treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) for federal workers receiving workers' compensation. Aims to reduce barriers to non-opioid pain treatment, such as alternative pain medication, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), physical therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and other treatment without medication, as well as in-patient pain management programs. Increases patient access to OUD treatments, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), opioid treatment programs, in-patient, out-patient, and emergency services.
Identifies and describes the following 7 drug policy priorities for the first year of the Biden-Harris Administration: expanding access to evidence-based treatment; advancing racial equity issues in drug policy; enhancing evidenced-based harm reduction efforts; supporting evidence-based prevention efforts to reduce youth substance use; reducing the supply of illicit substances; advancing recovery-ready workplaces and increasing the addiction workforce; and expanding access to recovery support services. Outlines next steps for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to coordinate with other federal agencies to address drug policy priorities.
Serves as the lead federal agency for behavioral health statistics, data, and research. Supports basic and applied research in behavioral health data systems, including annual data collection efforts on mental illness and substance use nationally. Conducts special data collection and analysis projects, and assists in developing policies for national health statistics research.
Describes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) activities to address the opioid epidemic related to prevention, treatment, and data. Highlights program successes, innovative approaches, and future goals of CMS efforts to address the opioid crisis.
Provides an overview of a ten-year U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiative, starting in fiscal year (FY) 2020, to end the epidemic of HIV, which remains a significant public health issue in America. Outlines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) role in the initiative, working with national, state, and local partners in efforts to diagnose, treat, and prevent new HIV infections, and respond to potential HIV outbreaks. Aims to jump start progress on reducing HIV and prevent a resurgence of the disease across the country. Includes national HIV data snapshots and links to other federal resources on a range of HIV-related topics.
Provides an overview of Indian Health Service's (IHS) Office of Clinical and Preventive Services (OCPS) which is responsible for developing and managing clinical, preventive, and public health programs for IHS that cover a wide range of services, including alcohol and substance use and other behavioral health programs. Serves as an advocate for Native American health issues at the national level. Sets policy and budget priorities for IHS Area Offices and health facilities. Offers technical support to local clinical and preventive health programs.
Describes a benefit that covers opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment services under Medicare Part B medical insurance. Enables the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make bundled payments to certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs) for OUD treatment services for an episode of care provided to Medicare Part B beneficiaries. Covers the following services under the benefit: opioid agonist and antagonist medication-assisted treatment (MAT) medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), naloxone and overdose education, substance use counseling, individual and group therapy, toxicology testing, intake activities, and periodic assessments.
Shares a policy, effective September 23, 2019, whereby injured federal workers receiving workers' compensation that are newly prescribed opioids will be limited to an initial 7-day supply. Allows an injured worker to receive a maximum of 4 sequential 7-day supply prescriptions, an initial and 3 subsequent prescriptions, for a total of 28 days before prior authorization is required. For additional opioid prescriptions exceeding the initial 28-day period, the prescribing physician will need to submit a form certifying the medical necessity of continued opioid use for approval from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP).
Describes a 4-point strategic plan to protect injured federal workers covered under the Federal Employee's Compensation Act from the risk of opioid misuse and addiction. Includes details on these policy initiatives and their progress, information on any new policies, as well as a discussion of opioid facts and risk factors for opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose, and links to additional resources.
Consists of a public health and public safety collaboration between the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) across the U.S. Seeks to help communities reduce fatal and non-fatal drug overdose rates by improving information sharing across agencies and supporting evidence-based interventions. Equips states with a Drug Intelligence Officer (DIO) and a Public Health Analyst (PHA) who are responsible for helping to increase communication, data flow, and intelligence sharing between public safety and public health sectors within and across states.
Presents the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) 4-year strategic plan detailing the agency's guiding principles, priorities, goals, and objectives to address behavioral health needs in the U.S. Focuses on 5 key areas: preventing substance use and overdose; access to suicide prevention and mental health services; promoting resilience and emotional health for children, youth, and families; integrating behavioral and physical healthcare; and strengthening behavioral health workforce. Emphasizes behavioral health equity for underserved and/or historically marginalized populations, including rural and tribal communities.
Provides an overview of a 10-year U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiative, that started in fiscal year (FY) 2020, to end the HIV epidemic in America. Highlights how the initiative was developed, lists its target goals, and discusses the plan focusing on 57 priority jurisdictions, including 7 states with high rates of rural HIV diagnoses, where more than 50% of new HIV diagnoses occurred in 2016 and 2017. Includes key strategies, data, and tools utilized by the initiative.