Shatterproof commends the reintroduction of the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, to eliminate the buprenorphine waiver requirement.  As the addiction epidemic has worsened, Shatterproof and its thousands of grassroots advocates have pressed for the removal of the buprenorphine waiver requirement. Buprenorphine is one of the most effective treatments for opioid use disorder and by removing the waiver requirement, we will significantly expand access to evidence-based treatment for addiction. We know that removing barriers to buprenorphine saves lives: For example, France saw a 79% decline in fatal overdoses over three years after buprenorphine prescribing regulations were eliminated in that country.

The bipartisan MAT Act is sponsored by Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and Michael Turner (R-OH) and Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). Representatives Antonio Delgado (D-NY) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) are also co-leading the bill in the House.

Kevin Roy, Shatterproof’s Chief Policy Officer, explains the importance of this legislation: “Despite the known effectiveness of medications for addiction treatment (MAT), it is vastly underused — fewer than half of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) receive it. The weight of the evidence suggests that this critical change to remove barriers to buprenorphine treatment will save lives and this is desperately needed. We are hopeful that Congress will pass this legislation as soon as practically possible.”  

“Importantly, Congress should also require comprehensive training on substance use disorder for all prescribers of controlled substances. This comprehensive approach will empower all medical professionals with baseline knowledge to mitigate and treat addiction in lieu of the narrowly tailored and often stigmatizing system in place today. This is more important than ever given the growing and evolving nature of this crisis.” 

Shatterproof released a report on buprenorphine availability in 2020 that found that 39% of counties in the United States do not have access to this medication. Patients often struggle to find physicians who are authorized to prescribe the medication. Less than 6% of providers in the U.S. have received the special waiver. Many prescribers do not pursue a waiver because of limited time, inadequate education about addiction medicine, or concern about OUD-related stigma. 

About Shatterproof:
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. Shatterproof harnesses the models of business, the rigor of science and the power of a national movement to create change and save lives through three pillars of work: revolutionizing the addiction treatment system, breaking down addiction-related stigmas and supporting and empowering our communities. To learn more visit www.Shatterproof.org