Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Signed

On Friday, July 22, 2016, President Obama signed into law the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA).The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) reports that CARA addresses opioid use disorders, including provisions related to prevention and education, treatment, recovery, law enforcement, and services for women, families, and veterans, among others. CARA also permits nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe buprenorphine.

President Obama’s statement on the passage of the bill notes that significant federal funding is missing from the bill, and he urges that congress fully fund the law.

NASADAD released an updated section-by-section analysis of the bill.

This article from Behavioral Healthcare discusses ideas about how CARA might affect providers' bottom lines.