Matsui's Telehealth Legislation to Increase Access to Behavioral Health Treatment Passes House as Part of Bipartisan Opioids Package

Washington, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui's (D-CA) "Access to Telehealth Services for Substance Use Disorders Act," H.R. 5603, passed the House as part of a larger bipartisan opioids package, H.R. 6 SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act.

"This is an important step in our work to leverage technology to meet the healthcare needs of our communities," said Congresswoman Matsui. "The integration of telemedicine into our healthcare ecosystem is one way we can expand access to treatment and services for patients with addiction. While I'm pleased that we're advancing some important policy changes today, such as this legislation, it's critically important that we pair this progress with further increases in funding for treatment, further support for Medicaid, and investments in the entire spectrum of behavioral healthcare."

The Access to Telehealth Services for Substance Use Disorders Act, based on Rep. Matsui and Rep. Bill Johnson's Evidence-Based Telehealth Expansion Act (H.R. 3482), would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive Medicare restrictions on reimbursement for telemedicine services provided to patients suffering from an opioid use disorder.

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