S-946 : Still Just a Bill

The Medication Access and Training Expansion Improvement Act, also known as the MATE Improvement Act or S. 946, seeks to clarify the training requirements for healthcare providers who prescribe controlled substances. The bill amends Section 303 of the Controlled Substances Act by:

• Adding specific organizations, such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Optometric Association, and the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, to the list of entities whose training can satisfy the requirements for prescribing controlled substances.
• Including podiatric medicine alongside osteopathic medicine and dental surgery in the curricula that can meet training requirements.
• Expanding the list of organizations that can provide or accredit training programs to include the American Pharmacists Association, the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, the American Academy of Nursing, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
• Ensuring that accredited schools of pharmacy are recognized as valid training providers.

The changes made by this bill are retroactive, taking effect as if enacted on December 29, 2022.