Washington State Expands Access to Life-Saving Medications for Opioid Use Disorder with New Provider Resource Library
In a major step forward in Washington State’s ongoing response to the opioid crisis, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) and the Department of Health (DOH) have launched a comprehensive new resource library designed to help health care providers and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel confidently prescribe and administer medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The initiative aims to expand access to evidence-based treatment, reduce stigma, and ultimately save lives by lowering overdose deaths across the state.
Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a pressing public health challenge nationwide, and Washington is no exception. While powerful medications such as buprenorphine and methadone are proven to significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and the risk of overdose, they remain underutilized in many clinical and emergency care settings. Research shows that MOUD can cut opioid-related deaths by as much as 50 percent, yet many patients never receive these treatments due to persistent barriers within the health care system.
The newly released MOUD resource library seeks to address those challenges head-on by equipping frontline medical professionals with practical, research-based tools that make it easier to integrate these medications into routine care. The library is hosted at ScalaNW.org/MOUD and is freely available to providers across Washington State.
Addressing Gaps in Knowledge and Confidence
According to state health leaders, one of the most significant obstacles to wider use of MOUD is not a lack of willingness, but a lack of confidence and familiarity among providers. Many clinicians and EMS personnel report uncertainty about how to start conversations about opioid use disorder, how to prescribe or administer MOUD safely, or how to connect patients with follow-up care.
“The science is clear—medications for opioid use disorder save lives,” said Jessica Blose, Washington State’s opioid treatment authority at HCA. “Yet many providers still hesitate to raise the option with patients, often because they’re unsure how to approach the conversation or feel they don’t have the right tools or training. These new resources are designed to change that.”
The MOUD resource library offers step-by-step guidance tailored for real-world medical environments, including emergency departments, primary care clinics, behavioral health settings, and pre-hospital emergency response. By focusing on usability and practicality, HCA and DOH aim to make MOUD a routine and normalized part of care rather than a specialized or exceptional intervention.
What the Resource Library Includes
The new library features a wide range of materials created with direct input from health care providers and first responders across Washington. Key components include:
- Brief educational guides and videos that explain how MOUD works and dispel common myths, such as the misconception that medications like methadone or buprenorphine simply “replace one addiction with another.”
- Printable tools and quick-reference sheets designed for busy clinical settings, enabling providers to make informed decisions quickly and confidently.
- Conversation prompts and communication tips that help clinicians discuss opioid use disorder and treatment options with compassion and clarity, reducing stigma and fostering trust.
- Testimonials from clinicians and EMS personnel who share their firsthand experiences prescribing and administering MOUD, including lessons learned and practical advice for peers.
- Links to training programs, clinical consultation services, and patient education materials, ensuring providers can continue to build their knowledge and connect patients to ongoing support.
Together, these resources are intended to reduce hesitation, normalize evidence-based treatment, and empower providers at every level of care.
A Changing Policy Landscape
The launch of the MOUD resource library comes at a pivotal moment in the national treatment landscape. Until recently, many providers faced regulatory hurdles that limited their ability to prescribe medications like buprenorphine. Prior to 2023, clinicians were required to complete specialized training and obtain a federal registration known as the X-Waiver in order to prescribe MOUD.
That requirement was eliminated with the passage of the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act of 2023, significantly expanding the pool of providers who can offer life-saving medications for opioid use disorder. While the policy change removed a major barrier, state officials say additional education and support are needed to ensure providers feel ready to take advantage of the new flexibility.
“Removing the X-Waiver was a critical step, but policy changes alone don’t automatically translate into practice,” Blose explained. “Providers still need practical guidance and reassurance that they can safely and effectively offer these medications. This resource library bridges that gap.”
Supporting Compassionate, Evidence-Based Care
Leaders at the Department of Health emphasized that expanding access to MOUD is not just a clinical issue, but a matter of compassion and equity. People with opioid use disorder often face stigma, discrimination, and fragmented care, which can discourage them from seeking treatment or remaining engaged in recovery.
“Every day, health care providers and first responders have the chance to change the course of someone’s life,” said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, State Health Officer at DOH. “These new tools help providers meet people with opioid use disorder where they are, with compassion and evidence-based treatment that saves lives and opens doors to recovery.”
By promoting consistent, informed, and stigma-free care, the state hopes to improve outcomes not only for individuals with OUD, but also for families and communities affected by the opioid epidemic.
Building on the ScalaNW Program
The MOUD resource library builds on the foundation of the ScalaNW program, an HCA-led initiative launched in 2024 to support emergency room clinicians in prescribing and administering MOUD and connecting patients to follow-up care. ScalaNW was developed in response to feedback from providers who wanted clearer guidance and stronger care coordination for patients experiencing opioid-related emergencies.
Since its launch, ScalaNW has helped emergency departments across Washington adopt best practices for initiating MOUD and linking patients to ongoing treatment and support services. The new resource library expands this approach beyond hospital settings, reaching EMS personnel, primary care providers, and other frontline professionals who are often the first point of contact for individuals with opioid use disorder.
“The emergency department or an EMS encounter can be a critical turning point,” said Liz Wolkin, a registered nurse and HCA’s ScalaNW program manager. “We heard directly from providers across the state and designed these tools to help them partner with patients who are ready to start treatment and ultimately save more lives.”
Funded by Opioid Settlement Resources
The development of the MOUD resource library is funded through Washington State’s opioid settlement funds, which are dedicated to addressing the harms caused by opioid manufacturers and distributors. State officials say investing in provider education and treatment access is one of the most impactful ways to use these funds.
OUD is a treatable medical condition,” Wolkin added. “When providers have the right tools and support, they can offer people real options—medications and care that reduce harm, restore hope, and save lives.”
Looking Ahead
As Washington continues to implement its broader opioid response strategy, HCA and DOH see the MOUD resource library as a key step toward a more integrated, effective, and humane system of care. By empowering providers and first responders with practical knowledge and support, the state aims to reduce overdose deaths, improve health outcomes, and strengthen communities across Washington.
Health care providers and EMS personnel are encouraged to explore the new MOUD resource library at ScalaNW.org/MOUD and take advantage of the training, tools, and support available
About HCA
Functioning as both the state’s largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, HCA is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
There are three pillars of work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment, for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.
