# Plain Language Summary: Extending Access to Addiction Treatment Act

This bill extends a requirement that state Medicaid programs must cover medication-assisted treatment for people struggling with opioid and other substance addictions. Right now, this coverage requirement is set to expire in 2025, but this bill would push that deadline back to 2035—giving states another decade to continue providing these treatments through Medicaid.

Medication-assisted treatment is a proven approach where doctors prescribe medications like methadone or buprenorphine to help people manage addiction while they work toward recovery. These medications reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it much easier for people to stay in treatment and avoid relapsing. Without this coverage requirement, states could choose to stop paying for these medications through Medicaid, which would leave many low-income people without access to this effective treatment option.

The practical impact is straightforward: if this bill passes, people on Medicaid who are struggling with addiction will have guaranteed access to medication-assisted treatment through at least 2035 instead of potentially losing it in 2025. This matters most for people without much money, since Medicaid is the health insurance program for lower-income Americans. By extending this requirement, the bill helps ensure that addiction treatment remains available to those who need it most and can least afford to pay for it privately.

Extending Access to Addiction Treatment Act

Tonko, Paul

Extending Access to Addiction Treatment ActThis bill extends through September 30, 2035, the requirement that state Medicaid programs cover medication-assisted treatment for&nbsp;opioid-use disorders. (The requirement is set to expire on September 30, 2025.)