Governor Hassan Joins New England Governors in Calling on Congress to Expand Access to Addiction Treatment Medication

Press Release

Continuing her efforts to combat the heroin and opioid crisis and help save lives, Governor Maggie Hassan and the New England Governors called on Congress to help states expand access to treatment medication for those suffering from addiction to opioids.

Under current federal law, medical professionals such as nurse practitioners can prescribe addictive narcotics for pain, but are barred from prescribing medications designed to break addiction to those deadly narcotics that can also lead to heroin use. In a letter to Congressional leaders, the six New England governors are urging Congress to amend federal law to allow medical professionals such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe opioid addiction treatment medication, such as buprenorphine.

In addition to Governor Hassan, the letter is signed by Governor Peter Shumlin of Vermont, Governor Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, Governor Paul LePage of Maine, Governor Dannel Malloy of Connecticut, and Governor Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island.

"The heroin and opioid crisis is devastating families and communities across our state and region," Governor Hassan said. "The fight against addiction is ongoing, and we must constantly be working to strengthen our efforts to combat the heroin and opioid crisis at the state, regional and federal levels. This common-sense change to federal law will help support our efforts in New Hampshire and across the region to improve treatment and recovery."

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