Dr. Rahul Gupta Statement on Proposed Rule Changes to Expand Access to Treatment and Make It Easier to Get Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), released a statement on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) proposed rule to expand access to treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) by making permanent COVID-era policies that allow take home doses of methadone and the use of telehealth to access buprenorphine prescriptions.  

“The reality is, if it is easier to get illicit drugs in America than it is to get treatment, we will never bend the curve on overdoses. When fewer than 1 out of 10 Americans with addiction can access the treatment they need, we must do more to close that addiction treatment gap, including making COVID-19 era flexibilities permanent. These proposed federal rule changes will make it easier for people to access lifesaving treatment and to maintain their recovery. Today’s announcement delivers on proposed actions in President Biden’s National Drug Control Strategy and builds towards the President’s goal of universal access to treatment by 2025.”

To read President Biden’s Strategy, click HERE.

To read a fact sheet on President Biden’s Strategy, click HERE.

To read about the key actions the Biden-Harris Administration has taken to address addiction and the overdose epidemic, click HERE.

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