Ayotte Calls on HHS to Work With New Hampshire to Ease Regulations on Substance Abuse Treatment Centers

Press Release

In response to reports that some substance abuse treatment centers in New Hampshire are facing costly new requirements to obtain a health care facility license, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today urged Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to work with the state to ease requirements. Recent reports indicate that these stringent licensing requirements could force several treatment facilities in New Hampshire to cut the number of available beds and reduce their ability to serve individuals dealing with substance abuse issues - a serious concern in light of the state's heroin and prescription drug addiction crisis.

"21.6 million individuals in the United States had a substance use disorder but only about 10 percent of these individuals received treatment. Given this concerning statistic and the fact that treatment for individuals with a substance use disorder should be a key piece in responding to the continuing wave of opioid abuse, I was troubled to read reports of regulations that will require residential substance abuse treatment centers in New Hampshire to make substantial changes to their facilities," Ayotte wrote. "At a time when access to treatment is already lacking, burdensome and costly regulations should not further hinder the ability of individuals struggling with addiction to get the help they need."

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