Opening Plenary Session: The Evolving Field of Opioid Treatment

Presentation Summary: The Opening Plenary Session will examine relevant opioid treatment policies and strategies in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Mr. Joshua Nirella, Conference Chair, will moderate the session, deliver opening remarks, and welcome attendees. He will introduce the 2025 conference theme, “The Evolving Field of Opioid Treatment,” and highlight major topics to be addressed throughout the event. Following Mr. Nirella, Ms. Kelly Primus, Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), will provide an overview of Pennsylvania’s current initiatives related to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Her remarks will include recent legislative developments, funding updates, provider collaborations, and emerging trends in the state’s opioid response. Mr. Mark Parrino, President of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, Inc. (AATOD), will then discuss the Association’s recent challenges, accomplishments, and strategic priorities. He will also address ongoing federal collaborations, the revision of 42 CFR Part 8, and the implications of these changes for opioid treatment programs (OTPs). Mr. Paul Samuels, Director and President of the Legal Action Center, will conclude the session with an overview of federal policy issues impacting opioid use disorder treatment. He will address upcoming Medicaid challenges, recent regulatory changes, and their effects on access to care for OTPs.