A U.S. Senator has called for the Drug Enforcement Administration to stop delaying providers from being able to treat patients using telehealth.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) asked the DEA to clarify the process by which health care professionals can legally use telehealth to treat patients with substance abuse disorder.

He wants the agency to expedite the work on the process of exempting some health providers from restrictions on providing telehealth services for people who want to overcome addictions.

Warner has assisted in drafting and passing a comprehensive substance abuse treatment bill, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act.

The legislation has a provision that directs the departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to create the process needed to deal with restrictions placed on such activity by the Ryan Haight Act of 2008.

This Act prohibits the delivery, distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance by means of the Internet without a prior in-person exam. It prevents providers from properly using telehealth to treat individuals.

Warner believes that the lack of such treatment affects those in rural areas who don’t have direct access to substance abuse treatment. They would benefit the most by online access to care.

The Attorney General failed to finalize a rule by October 2019 deadline. For provisions of this legislation to be most effective, the DEA must complete its rule making process.

Since DEA has failed to promulgate the rule it implies that despite Congress’ best efforts many patients suffering from substance use disorder remain unable to access treatment via telehealth. These patients cannot afford to wait. It’s a matter of concern that DEA is standing in the way of the treatment for individuals that cannot access a provider in person.