End the Epidemic

State and national policy recommendations

COVID-19 policy recommendations for OUD, pain, harm reduction (Specific policy recommendations from the AMA for states and national organizations)
AMA recommends exceptions to facilitate opioid use disorder treatment (AMA/ASAM urge states to support methadone take-home dosing for patients in Opioid Treatment Programs); AMA also urging SAMHSA to increase flexibility for OTPs to use telemedicine for new methadone patients.
AMA urges governors to adopt DEA guidance for opioid use disorder (AMA urges governors to authorize telephone-only initiation of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder)
New Minnesota law protects patients with chronic disease (Best practice for states to support increased refill policy for patients with chronic pain and other conditions)
AMA urges states to adopt new Maine needle, syringe exchange policy (Best practice for states to reduce spread of infectious disease and other benefits)
The AMA joined the Indiana State Medical Association in seeking clarification from the state medical licensing board on prescribing rules for patients with chronic pain. (4/27/20 update: The medical board clarified that existing patients with chronic pain can be evaluated via telephone-only communication to satisfy state-specific controlled substances prescribing rules.
Advocating for additional changes to help hospice, palliative care patients during COVID-19.

Select 2020 research and issue briefs from the National Governors Association, Legal Action Center, Pew Charitable Trusts, JAMA Open Network, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, SAMHSA and GAO (Updated July 2020)
Patient care for SUD, mental illness, chronic pain during COVID-19 (Federal and other resources medical societies can share with physicians)
DEA flexibility allowing physicians to use telemedicine to prescribe patients SUD treatment
AMA highlights mental health resources for physicians during COVID-19 (AMA advocacy)
SAMHSA Opioid Treatment Guidance states that states may request blanket exceptions for all stable patients in an OTP to receive 28 days of take-home medication for OUD. Full SAMHSA resources here.
Protecting public health & vulnerable populations in a pandemic (AMA Code of Medical Ethics)
Supporting People with Substance Use Disorder in New Hampshire during the Pandemic. New Hampshire Center for Excellence in collaboration with the Healthcare Task Force of the NH Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs.