Potential lawsuit seeks to increase access to MOUD – Partnership aims to reduce addiction.

A recent development in the field of addiction treatment has sparked a legal battle that could potentially expand access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The Salvation Army, one of the largest providers of residential drug and alcohol abuse treatment in the United States, is facing a class-action lawsuit that challenges its policy of prohibiting certain medications deemed “abusive and addictive.”

The lawsuit was initiated by three individuals who claim they were denied treatment services by The Salvation Army because of their use of MOUD. The organization, known for operating 122 Adult Rehabilitation Centers nationwide, has a policy that restricts access to medications like methadone and buprenorphine. However, a federal judge recently approved the lawsuit, establishing two classes for potential plaintiffs.

The first class includes individuals who were denied access to MOUD and seeks injunctive relief to compel facilities like The Salvation Army to allow these medications. Eligibility for this class is open to anyone prescribed MOUD by a doctor who wishes to participate in the organization’s programs. The second class is for individuals who claim they were harmed by The Salvation Army’s policy and were discharged from a center for taking prescribed MOUD, allowing them to seek damages.

The legal basis for the judge’s ruling stems from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination based on disability for groups receiving federal financial assistance. Denying access to MOUD has been recognized as a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act by other courts and the Department of Justice. The upcoming trial for the injunctive class could set a precedent for treatment facilities regarding the consequences of restricting access to MOUD.

This lawsuit has broader implications beyond the specific case of The Salvation Army. It has the potential to demonstrate to other providers that denying access to MOUD can result in legal consequences and may encourage more treatment facilities to offer these medications, irrespective of any ideological objections they may hold. By challenging these restrictive policies, the lawsuit aims to promote greater access to evidence-based addiction treatment and support individuals with opioid use disorder in their recovery journey.