Welch led bipartisan letter to Biden Admin on Importance of Expanding Access to Contingency Management Services

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today welcomed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) announcement of an increase in funding for Contingency Management (CM) services, one of the only evidence-based treatments available to treat stimulant use disorder. The new policy will increase funding for CM services from $75 to $750, per patient, per year. This announcement comes after Senator Welch led a bipartisan, bicameral effort requesting more information from the Biden-Harris Administration on its efforts to expand access to contingency management services, a highly effective and under-used behavioral intervention that reduces stimulant use in the absence of FDA-approved medications. 

“We know that Contingency Management is an evidence-based tool that helps reduce stimulant use, and this move by the Biden Administration will give providers more opportunity to positively change behaviors and save lives,” said Senator Welch. “I am thankful that the Biden Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration took action after our bipartisan call, because lasting and effective treatments for substance use disorders are needed across the country.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, overdose is the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45. In Vermont, the rate of opioid-related deaths increased by over 18% from 2019-2023. 

Read the full announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

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