Substance Use Disorder


Under the leadership of its board of trustees, The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association has created a Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Task Force to develop provider focused strategies to help address the high incidence of opioid misuse that affects our communities.

Click here for detailed information on MHA’s Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Task Force (SUDPTTF). It is located on the association’s quality and patient safety website, PatientCareLink.
02.17.2020  | Focus on Community Benefits: Baystate Franklin Medical Center
The Franklin County Perinatal Support Coalition is a multi-sector and provider initiative that convenes monthly more than 30 community agencies.
02.17.2020  | Senate Passes Mental Health Parity Bill
The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a sweeping mental health reform bill last Thursday that takes a large step towards "parity."
02.17.2020  | AG Accuses JUUL of Targeting Youths
Attorney General Maura Healy last week filed suit against JUUL Labs, the e-cigarette manufacturer.
02.10.2020  | State Senate Releases Proposed Mental Health Bill
The Massachusetts Senate this week is expected to begin debate on a comprehensive mental health bill.
02.10.2020  | JAMA Study: MOUD Works
Medication for opioid use disorder that employs buprenorphine or methadone has the best chance of preventing individuals from overdosing again, according to a February 5 JAMA Network Open study
01.20.2020  | DPH’s Bharel Has Ideas for Battling “Substance Misuse Disorders”
DPH Commissioner Monica Bharel, M.D., testified before the U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce last Tuesday.
12.09.2019  | Opioid Use Disorder Training for ED Nurses
There will be a series of trainings for ED nurses to help them assess and treat patients presenting to the ED with opioid use disorder.
11.25.2019  | A New Comprehensive OUD Resource for Hospitals
Boston Medical Center’s Grayken Center and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement have released a document outlining best practices to address opioid use disorder.
11.25.2019  | How Would You Improve the Behavioral Health System?
The state wants to improve the ambulatory behavioral health system and is asking the healthcare sector and the public for ideas on how to make it happen.
11.18.2019  | State Unveils Coordinated Plan to Ease ED Boarding
A new Expedited Psychiatric Inpatient Admissions Policy, or EPIA 2.0, builds on the original EPIA that was released in February 2018.
11.18.2019  | Hospital EDs Get New Tool in Tracking Risk for Opioid Misuse
The fight against opioid use disorder (OUD) is about to get a new tool that will make it easier for physicians in hospitals to review risky controlled substances history of patients.
11.11.2019  | Veterans Face Special Health Challenges
As the nation honors the men and women who have served in the armed forces, it’s appropriate to recognize the special health challenges many veterans face.
11.04.2019  | Enter Your Zip Code and Find SUD Treatment Options
FindTreatment.gov is up and running, helping individuals locate substance use disorder treatment facilities across the U.S.
10.28.2019  | Legislature Will Act on MHA-Supported Flavored Tobacco Bills
Two bills scheduled for action next session would permanently ban all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, vaping products, and menthol cigarettes.
10.21.2019  | State Commission Issues Medication Assisted Treatment Report
The Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Commission has completed its mandated report to the legislature.
10.07.2019  | Get Quick, Free Advice to Help Your SUD Patients
MCSTAP wants providers to know that it has the bandwidth to provide quick, free help.
10.07.2019  | MHA: Purdue Pharma Filing “Unconscionable and Unjust”
MHA joined Attorney General Maura Healey last week in urging the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York to reject Purdue Pharma’s proposed opioid crisis settlement.
10.07.2019  | Federal Court Says Oft-Cited Federal Law Doesn’t Apply to SIFs
A U.S. District Court judge in Pennsylvania last week ruled that a federal law passed in 1986 to shut down “crack houses” does not apply to those seeking to operate safe injection facilities.
09.30.2019  | DPH: Providers Need to Help Those Affected by Vaping Ban
On September 24, Governor Charlie Baker declared a public health emergency due to severe lung disease associated with the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products.
09.16.2019  | e-Prescribing Goes into Effect by Year’s End
Last Wednesday, the Public Health Council signed off on the final e-prescribing regulations, which go into effect on December 27, 2019.

Resources