The physicians of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) thank United States Attorney Rachael Rollins and her office for advocating for and protecting our patients by taking strong action in warning skilled nursing facilities that they must evaluate patients individually to determine suitability for admission, rather than enacting a blanket policy denying admissions to all persons treated with medications for opioid use disorder. Not doing so would be deemed a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Opioid use disorder is a chronic disease, and, for many patients, evidence-based, medication-assisted treatment is a critical component of a pathway to recovery. The Massachusetts Medical Society views access to appropriate health care as a basic human right. Barriers to access to appropriate care based on discriminatory policies puts our patients’ lives at risk and we applaud U.S. Attorney Rollins for protecting the rights and health of persons with opioid use disorder.
-Theodore A. Calianos, II, MD, FACS, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
