MATE Improvement Act (S. 946)

Summary

Updates a law to add more medical groups that can provide the required training for professionals who prescribe controlled substances like strong pain medicine.

What problem does this solve?

The list of groups approved to train medical professionals on prescribing controlled drugs was too limited, making it hard for some to get the needed education. This bill adds more medical and educational organizations to the approved list, giving more prescribers access to the required training.

What does this bill do?

Expands list of approved training providers

Adds groups like the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the American Optometric Association to the list of organizations that can offer required training.

Includes podiatric medicine in training curriculum

Adds podiatric (foot) medicine to the types of medical school curriculums that fulfill the training requirement for prescribing controlled substances.

Adds pharmacy and nursing training providers

Includes the American Pharmacists Association, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and others as approved trainers for non-physician prescribers.

Makes changes retroactive

Sets the effective date of these changes to December 29, 2022, making them apply as if they were part of the original law.

Who does this affect?

Medical professionals who prescribe controlled substances
Podiatrists, optometrists, and pharmacists
Medical training organizations

What is the real world impact?

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Improves access to required medical training

Makes it easier for different types of medical professionals, like foot doctors and eye doctors, to get the required training for prescribing strong medicines by adding more approved training groups.

When does this start?

The changes in this bill would apply as if they were made on December 29, 2022.