Pete Buttigieg on Substance Use Treatment Access

Buttigieg’s plan would deregulate buprenorphine at the federal level, while increasing the number of clinicians able to prescribe medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

Buttigieg plans to standardize addiction treatment by defining the elements of care provided throughout the continuum of care using national guidelines.

Buttigieg will incentivize states to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates that clinicians receive for providing MAT.

Buttigieg promises to prioritize research to develop medication to treat other types of drug dependence disorders.

Buttigieg’s substance use proposal specifically provides $10 billion to local communities via an annual grant program. Healing and Belonging grants would fund policies and programs focused on prevention, care integration, and community. The plan specifically includes funding to expand the peer support workforce.

Buttigieg would require all insurers to cover all three types of MAT to treat opioid addiction.

Buttigieg pledges to end policies that require patients to wait days or weeks to receive access to MAT by getting rid of prior authorization.

Buttigieg plans to increase mobile clinics and access to longer-lasting forms of MAT for patients in rural or medically underserved areas

Buttigieg will invest $100 billion dollars through a 10-year grant program to assist communities most impacted by addiction.

“For years, politicians in Washington have claimed to prioritize mental health care while slashing funding for treatment and ignoring America’s growing addiction and mental health crisis. That neglect must end. Our plan breaks down the barriers around mental health and builds up a sense of belonging that will help millions of suffering Americans heal.”
Democrat Buttigieg wants to save million lives through plan fighting mental health, addiction
Reuters, August 23, 2019 | Tim Reid