AMA to push for evidence-based treatment in opioid fight

CHICAGO — The American Medical Association (AMA) adopted policy at its Annual Meeting to ensure that patients with substance use disorders receive evidence-based treatment — whether that treatment is in clinics, drug treatment facilities, hospitals, correctional settings or the physician’s office.

“The AMA wants all physicians to be leaders in the fight against the opioid epidemic,” said AMA President-elect Patrice A. Harris, M.D., chair of the AMA Opioid Task Force. “This means they must fight to end stigma surrounding substance use disorder and medication assisted treatment (MAT), which has been shown to decrease overdose mortality, reduce transmission of infectious disease, and reduce general health care expenditures.”

The AMA urges removing administrative barriers to MAT, including prior authorization that causes delays or denials of care. The AMA also urges enforcement of mental health and substance use disorder parity laws. Only 10 percent of patients with a substance use disorder receive the necessary treatment, and the AMA urges all stakeholders to help reduce these barriers.