S-3136 : Still Just a Bill

The "Extending Access to Addiction Treatment Act" (S.3136) aims to ensure continuous access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for individuals covered by state Medicaid plans. Key provisions include:

• Extending Medicaid Coverage for MAT: Amends Section 1905 of the Social Security Act to remove the end date for the requirement that state Medicaid plans cover MAT. This makes the coverage requirement permanent, starting October 1, 2020.
• State Certification: Requires states to certify their compliance with MAT coverage requirements to the Secretary of Health and Human Services at least every 5 years, instead of a one-time certification before a specific period.
• Conforming Amendment: Removes a previous end date (October 1, 2025) from a related section of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act to align with the permanent extension of MAT coverage.

In essence, this bill seeks to make permanent the requirement for state Medicaid plans to provide coverage for medication-assisted treatment, ensuring ongoing access to these services for those who need them.