The DEA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services planned to roll out new rules earlier this week to make it easier for veterans to get certain controlled substances via telemedicine. But a recent directive from the Trump administration has delayed them.
The first rule expands access to buprenorphine, a common medication used to treat opioid use disorder, without an in-person visit. Registered providers would have more flexibility to prescribe it without an in-person visit, through an audio-only phone call.
The second opens up more controlled medications that VA doctors can prescribe to more veterans remotely.
Both policies would have gone into effect earlier this week, but are now in limbo until at least the end of March.
While the new rules are on hold, pandemic-era flexibilities around telemedicine prescriptions will remain in place through the end of the year. But now, the DEA is asking for public feedback on pushing the changes back even further while they’re up for review.
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The Phoenix City Council approved a controversial new law that puts new restrictions in place about providing medical care in public parks. -
Arizona has confirmed 228 measles cases since August, most of which have been in Mohave County. But in the past three weeks, Coconino, Pima, Maricopa and Pinal counties have all reported cases. -
Birth control isn’t just for younger people looking to delay pregnancy. Women in perimenopause also need to think about how to avoid becoming unintentionally pregnant. -
The Phoenix City Council approved a controversial new law that puts new restrictions in place about providing medical care in public parks — and harm reduction groups are not happy about it. -
Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly on Tuesday met with workers in Phoenix whose health care premiums have skyrocketed in the new year. He told them it’s unlikely Senate Republicans will vote to renew subsidies that kept costs down before 2026.
