MATE Act Update: APMA Provides Testimony at HHS' ISUDCC Meeting

APMA presented oral testimony to the US Department of Health And Human Services Interdepartmental Substance Use Disorders Coordinating Committee (ISUDCC) on June 5, requesting that ISUDCC support and recommend that the assistant secretary of mental health and substance use approve APMA and CPME as an approved provider and accrediting entity, respectively, for the new DEA MATE Act requirements.

The ISUDCC is composed of federal and non-federal members to accomplish the numerous duties, including but not limited to:

• identifying areas for improved coordination of activities, if any, related to substance use disorders, including research, services, supports, and prevention activities across all relevant federal agencies; and
• making recommendations to the secretary regarding any appropriate changes with respect to the activities and strategies.

The meeting had a dedicated session discussing the new requirements related to the MATE Act, with a public comment session. APMA CEO and Executive Director James R. Christina, DPM, spoke on behalf of members and the podiatric profession, outlining our ongoing concerns that APMA and CPME have not been recognized to provide or recognize entities for providing this education to podiatric physicians. Additionally, APMA submitted full formal comments in advance of the meeting on June 2. Read the comments at www.apma.org/commentletters.

APMA will continue to work on resolving this issue for members. If you have any questions, please contact the APMA Health Policy and Practice department at healthpolicy.hpp@apma.org.