Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Legislation Heard in House Committee

February 26, 2026

Legislation that would prohibit prior authorization (PA) for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment was heard by the House Health Finance and Policy Committee on February 23.  

“The fastest way to get lifesaving medications for OUD with prior authorization is between one and three days,” said Ryan Kelly, MD. “For patients experiencing withdrawal and ready to get help, three days is too long of a wait.” 

Ryan Kelly, MD, testifies February 23 before the House Health Finance and Policy Committee in support of HF 3444.

Kelly is a general medicine hospitalist, and primary care physician in medicine and pediatrics at the Community-University Health Care Center, where he also treats patients with opioid dependence. 

Under state law, at least one version of liquid methadone, a drug used for the treatment of opioid use disorder, must be available under Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.  

The bill would go further by prohibiting PA and step therapy for all drug classes approved to treat opioid use disorder. 

The MMA supports ensuring that all public and private payers include the full range of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) options on their formularies, and remove administrative barriers to timely access, including PA. 

HF 3444 (Mahamoud, DFL – Minneapolis) was laid over Monday by the House Health Finance and Policy Committee.