ID HJM013

Requests Congress to amend 21 U.S.C. 823 and related federal laws to allow any health care practitioner authorized to prescribe opioids to also prescribe buprenorphine and other medication-assisted therapy drugs.

Cites that more than 130 people die daily from opioid overdoses in the United States, with 47,000 deaths in 2017 representing 70% of all drug overdose deaths.

Notes that only about 5% of U.S. physicians and 414 Idaho practitioners are currently authorized to prescribe buprenorphine, creating insufficient access to medication-assisted treatment despite its proven effectiveness.

Emphasizes that rural areas have been disproportionately affected with overdose death rates increasing 325% since 1999 compared to 198% in urban areas.

Directs the House Chief Clerk to forward the memorial to Congress leadership and Idaho's congressional delegation requesting their sponsorship of necessary legislation.