Legislative Session Starts; MMA to Focus on 5 Major Issues
February 19, 2026
State lawmakers returned to St. Paul on February 17 for the second half of the 2025-2026 biennium.
DEA Extends Prescribing Controlled Substances Via Telehealth For 6 Months
May 11, 2023
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is extending the ability for physicians to prescribe controlled substances based on telehealth visits through November 11, 2023. This method had been set to expire when the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended today (May 11).
On March 1, the DEA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), sent out notices of proposed rulemakings (NPRMs) to generate feedback on proposals to continue allowing the prescribing of controlled medications via virtual visits with patients. More than 38,000 public comments came in.
“These medications, including those used to treat opioid use disorder, are a vital form of care for millions of Americans who have come to rely on safe and effective telemedicine appointments,” said the AMA in a statement. “Patients being treated with these medications often have challenges securing and traveling to in-person appointments.”
Latest News
MMA Leaders Testify on Medicaid Cuts
February 19, 2026
On the second day of the legislative session, MMA leadership was already advocating for one of its top priorities - minimizing the harm of federal changes to Medical Assistance (MA).
MMA Priority Bill on AI and Prior Auth Already Moving at the Capitol
February 19, 2026
Legislation to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in prior authorization requirements was heard in the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee on February 19.