Omnibus bill includes changes to federal drug treatment programs

A portion of the $1.7 trillion in the federal government's proposed omnibus bill will go to opioid treatment programs, as the U.S. continues to see high rates of substance use and overdose deaths. The bill was passed by the Senate Thursday, and now heads to the House. 

Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) are outpatient treatment options that allow people to take medications that treat substance use disorder. Colloquially known as methadone clinics, the programs can also dispense medications, including buprenorphine and naltrexone. All three medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. 

However, they can be hard to access: Patients must prove they have been dealing with substance use disorder for at least one year before they can receive the medications. The clinics can be hard to access, especially in rural areas, and most patients are required to come to the clinic daily to have their dosage dispensed.