Substance Use Disorder


Under the leadership of its board of trustees, The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association has created a Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Task Force to develop provider focused strategies to help address the high incidence of opioid misuse that affects our communities.

Click here for detailed information on MHA’s Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Task Force (SUDPTTF). It is located on the association’s quality and patient safety website, PatientCareLink.
10.01.2018  | Opioids: A Step Forward in D.C., a Potential Step Back in Mass.
In Mass., optimism over a federal opioid bill is mixed with concern over an impending threat to the state's behavioral health system
09.24.2018  | A Federal Opioid Bill Due Soon
Federal legislation to combat opioid use disorder is moving along fairly quickly and may be ready by the end of September.
09.17.2018  | Opioids & Substance Use Disorders
As the battle against opioid use disorder continues, the behavioral healthcare system and other medical professionals are mobilizing to provide the most effective care for patients.
09.10.2018  | CDC Seeks Hospital Info to Inform Opioid Epidemic
In the battle against the opioid epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking data from hospitals across the U.S.
08.27.2018  | DPH on Hepatitis A and West Nile Virus
Massachusetts DPH last week issued advisories about Hepatitis A and West Nile virus.
08.27.2018  | FDA Seeks Best Practices for Prescribing Opioids
The FDA has awarded a contract to develop evidence-based guidelines for appropriate opioid analgesic prescribing.
08.20.2018  | Governor Baker Signs Opioid and Alzheimer's Legislation
Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker signed two pieces of legislation of interest to the hospital community.
08.06.2018  | Opioid Bill Passes
Close to midnight on July 31, the Massachusetts Senate sent Governor Baker the final text of legislation to address the opioid epidemic.
08.06.2018  | Copy of Opioid Bill Passes
Close to midnight on July 31, the Massachusetts Senate sent Governor Baker the final text of legislation to address the opioid epidemic.
07.23.2018  | Senate Passes Bill to Expand Tools for Addiction Treatment
In a 37-0 vote last Thursday, the Massachusetts Senate passed “An Act for Prevention and Access to Appropriate Care and Treatment of Addiction.”
07.23.2018  | ED Boarding Would Worsen if Ratio Ballot Question Passed
The Boston Globe had a strong article last week by reporter Liz Kowalczyk highlighting the ongoing problem of ED “boarding.”
07.23.2018  | Creative, Community-Focused Hospitals Receive Grant Funding
The Health Policy Commission (HPC) last Wednesday announced its SHIFT-Care grant awardees.
07.16.2018  | Free Training on Treating Pregnant Women with OUD
SAMHSA is hosting a freecourse designed to help physicians and healthcare professionals who care for pregnant women with opioid use disorder.
07.16.2018  | House Passes Important Bill in the Fight Against Opioid Abuse
The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted unanimously last Wednesday to pass a sweeping, multi-part bill to fight the opioid crisis.
06.25.2018  | A Pact Between Patient and Caregiver to Avoid Opioid Misuse
Last week, MHA, working with member facilities, released two documents to assist hospitals in addressing a trend of patients misusing opioids within facilities.
06.25.2018  | The Latest Opioid Data from Massachusetts
DPH’s quarterly opioid report was released last Friday showing that for the first three months of 2018 there were approximately 474 confirmed or estimated deaths from opioids in Massachusetts.
06.25.2018  | Further Evidence for Medication Assisted Treatment
more evidence in support of treatment involving methadone or buprenorphine.
06.22.2018  | MHA, Tufts Medical Center and Other Hospitals Develop Inpatient Opioid Misuse Prevention Guidelines
The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA) and Tufts Medical Center, working with hospital clinicians and operational staff in Massachusetts and other states, have developed two documents to help hospitals develop internal policies to prev
06.18.2018  | Rep. Clark’s Bill Would Help Fight Opioids in Underserved Areas
Bill offers student loan repayment of up to $250,000 for graduates who agree to work as a substance use disorder treatment professionals in areas most in need of their services.
06.18.2018  | Mass. House Releases Major Healthcare Overhaul
The Massachusetts House of Representatives could begin consideration as early as tomorrow on a massive healthcare reform bill.

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