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MAT & MATE Acts

Updates to Buprenorphine Prescribing & Substance Use Training from the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2023

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the fiscal year 2023 omnibus, passing the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) and Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Acts. These bills were passed to expand access to buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder, and normalize and enhance substance use care across healthcare settings.

DACS is monitoring guidance from state and federal agencies closely and will update this page when more information becomes available. The resources on this page offer information about the omnibus, the bills, and the implications for healthcare providers and programs.

Primary guidance about the MAT and MATE Acts

SAMHSA: Removal of DATA Waiver (X-Waiver) Requirement 

DEA: Letter to DEA Registrants 

ASAM Webinar recording and resources: Addiction Policy and the Consolidated Appropriations Act 

DCHA Podcast: Policy Change: 2023 Omnibus & MAT Act


MAT Act: Removes the waiver requirement to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder

With this provision, and effective immediately, SAMHSA will no longer be accepting NOIs (waiver applications). All practitioners who have a current DEA registration that includes Schedule III authority, may now prescribe buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder in their practice if permitted by applicable state law and SAMHSA encourages them to do so. - SAMHSA update

MATE ActRequires prescribers of controlled substances to complete an 8-hour SUD training upon renewing or receiving their DEA license

SAMHSA and DEA are actively working on implementation of a separate provision of the Omnibus related to training requirements for DEA registration that becomes effective in June 2023. Please continue to check this webpage for further updates and guidance. - SAMHSA update

Resources, articles, and statments about the MAT and MATE Acts

President Signs Bipartisan Measure to Improve Addiction Treatment – Pew Trusts article

Policies Governing Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder – ASAM update

“Healthcare practitioners should also be aware of applicable state laws or regulations that may still be in effect regarding the prescribing and dispensing of buprenorphine for SUD treatment and will need to seek further guidance from their state officials considering the impact of this federal reform in their state.”

Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023

Statement from President Joe Biden on Passage of the Bipartisan Year-End Omnibus – White House Press release

Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill: Highlights – Senate Appropriations Committee

Behavioral health legislation in the omnibus

Full omnibus as well as highlight behavioral health legislation – National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 Detailed Summary - Partnership to End Addiction