To provide that the final rule of the Department of Health and Human Services titled Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder, except for the portion of the final rule relating to accreditation of opioid treatment programs, shall have no force or effect.
Summary
H.R. 5629 seeks to nullify a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) final rule concerning medications for opioid use disorder (OUD). The bill specifically targets the rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 7549) on February 2, 2024.
However, it provides an exception, allowing the portion of the rule related to the accreditation of opioid treatment programs to remain in effect. The bill aims to reverse changes made by HHS regarding OUD medication access and regulation, excluding accreditation standards.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R. 5629 would reinstate the regulatory landscape for OUD medications that existed prior to the HHS final rule. This could affect access to and the types of medications available for treating opioid addiction.
Accreditation standards for opioid treatment programs would remain unchanged, ensuring some level of oversight and quality control.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially reduces regulatory burdens on healthcare providers related to OUD medication prescriptions.
- May allow for greater flexibility in treatment approaches for opioid use disorder.
- Could address concerns that the HHS rule might have unintended consequences on patient access or treatment outcomes.
- Maintains standards for accreditation of opioid treatment programs, ensuring a baseline level of quality.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could reduce access to certain medications for opioid use disorder if the HHS rule aimed to expand access.
- May reverse advancements in evidence-based treatment protocols for OUD.
- Might lead to inconsistencies in OUD treatment standards across different states or providers.
- Could negatively impact public health efforts to combat the opioid crisis if the HHS rule had positive effects on treatment outcomes.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the US Constitution is primarily rooted in the legislative powers granted to Congress under Article I, Section 1. This section vests all legislative powers in the Congress, allowing it to create laws and modify or repeal existing regulations.
The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or freedoms outlined in the Bill of Rights. However, the potential impact on healthcare access could be indirectly related to the general welfare clause.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).