CARA 3.0 Act of 2021

CARA 3.0 Act of 2021

This bill addresses substance use disorders by expanding access to treatment and recovery services, providing for housing protections, and requiring other activities.

Specifically, the bill reauthorizes, establishes, and expands support for treatment and recovery services. This includes increasing access to treatment in the criminal justice system and other settings and for particular populations, such as pregnant and postpartum individuals and youth and young adults.

Additionally, the bill expands Medicare and Medicaid coverage for treatment, including by expanding telehealth access to medication to treat substance use disorders. The bill also temporarily requires that non-opioid pain treatment options be reimbursed separately, instead of on a packaged basis, under Medicare.

As a condition of receiving certain federal funding, states must mandate the use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) by prescribers and dispensers and impose additional PDMP requirements. Moreover, prescribers of potentially addictive drugs must complete continuing education requirements. The bill also revises the registration process for providers who prescribe certain medications to treat substance use disorders, including by eliminating the provider's patient limit for such medications.

In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must carry out activities to promote access to high-quality recovery housing. The bill also sets out protections for individuals with substance use disorders who live in, or apply to live in, federally assisted housing.

Furthermore, the bill requires other activities to address substance use, such as support for workforce education and training; public awareness campaigns and similar outreach; and research on prevention strategies, insurance coverage, and treatment modalities.

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 3.0 Act of 2021, also known as Bill 117 hr 4341, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress aimed at addressing the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States. The bill builds upon previous versions of the CARA legislation and includes a number of provisions to combat addiction and support recovery efforts.

One key aspect of the CARA 3.0 Act is the expansion of access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for individuals struggling with opioid addiction. MAT has been shown to be an effective tool in helping individuals overcome opioid dependence, and this bill seeks to make these treatments more widely available to those in need.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to improve coordination between federal agencies, state governments, and local communities in their efforts to combat addiction. This includes funding for programs that support prevention, treatment, and recovery services, as well as initiatives to address the root causes of addiction. The CARA 3.0 Act also includes measures to enhance the monitoring and enforcement of prescription drug practices, in order to prevent the misuse and diversion of opioids. This includes increased funding for prescription drug monitoring programs and efforts to crack down on illicit opioid trafficking. Overall, the CARA 3.0 Act of 2021 represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the opioid crisis in the United States, with a focus on expanding access to treatment, improving coordination between stakeholders, and enhancing efforts to prevent opioid misuse and abuse.