Articles and Blogs

While the ravages of COVID-19 turned the nation’s attention away from the opioid addiction crisis, the number of opioid overdose deaths has surged during the pandemic. Recognizing that the social and emotional consequences of the pandemic will likely increase the workplace impact of opioid use and co-morbid health conditions, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission... READ MORE

When it comes to behavioral health, which is hugely important in the current era of the opioid crisis and the renewed—and much needed—focus on expanded access to care, Hall Render knows the territory. For example, a few of our more recent behavioral health articles covered updated guidance issued by SAMHSA (those articles can be... READ MORE

Senate Lays Groundwork for Pricing Transparency Legislation A bipartisan group of senators continue to lay the groundwork for the introduction of pricing transparency legislation. On February 5, the senators released a letter seeking information from stakeholders as they prepare to introduce legislation that builds on draft legislation from last Congress. The effort is being... READ MORE

On October 25, 2018, the president signed a wide-ranging bipartisan legislative package to address the opioid epidemic. The enactment of the Substance Use–Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act, or the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, (the “Act”) follows a lengthy process in both the Senate and... READ MORE

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) recently finalized several new policies aimed at preventing and combating prescription opioid misuse by Medicare Part D beneficiaries. The policies, detailed in CMS’s 2019 Final Call Letter (“Call Letter”)[1] and outlined below, require Part D plan sponsors to implement various safety measures to reduce opioid overuse among... READ MORE

Major Spending Bill Passes Congress Congress passed a major $1.3 trillion spending bill this week, which keeps the government funded through September. The bill passed the House 256-167 and the Senate 65-32. In both bodies, the measure received the support of a majority of members from each party. In the Senate, unanimous consent was... READ MORE