NJATOD’s advocacy letter urging the New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee to immediately consider Senate Bill S4194 to prevent disruptions in access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The legislation addresses an unintended conflict between New Jersey’s Schedule II prescribing requirements and existing federal Opioid Treatment Program regulations.
Advocacy
State & Federal Policy / Regulatory Updates
Download NJATOD’s advocacy letter requesting an expedited committee hearing on Senate Bill S4194 to preserve uninterrupted access to medication for opioid use disorder by eliminating unnecessary telemedicine prescribing barriers for patients receiving care through New Jersey Opioid Treatment Programs.
Date: May 8, 2026
Key takeaways
- Patient access in jeopardy: Without legislative action, thousands of OTP patients could face unnecessary interruptions in access to life-sustaining medication because of new Schedule II prescribing requirements.
- Resolve a regulatory conflict: Senate Bill S4194 aligns New Jersey law with existing federal OTP regulations by removing an unnecessary in-person examination requirement for qualifying telemedicine encounters.
- Urgent legislative action requested: NJATOD urges immediate committee consideration before the May 16 implementation deadline to prevent avoidable disruptions in patient care.
What’s inside
- Background on the expiration of New Jersey’s COVID-era telemedicine prescribing flexibilities.
- Explanation of the conflict between state prescribing requirements and existing federal OTP regulations.
- Potential impacts on patients, providers, and continuity of medication-assisted treatment.
- Community support demonstrating the need for immediate legislative action.
- NJATOD’s request for an expedited Senate committee hearing on Senate Bill S4194.
