A comprehensive bill to combat opioid addiction passed unanimously in the Massachusetts Senate and House this week and awaits the signature of Gov. Charlie Baker, according to MassLive.com.
Gov. Baker is expected to sign the bill into law, according to the report. It contains provisions to limit first-time prescriptions and prescriptions for minors, establish a process to screen students for addiction or addiction risk and require physicians to check a Prescription Monitoring Program before prescribing opioids and give patients information about the risks of addiction, among other measures designed to prevent addiction and improve education and treatment, according to the report.
Lynn Nicholas, Massachusetts Hospital Association president and CEO, commended the legislation. "This is an important day in the battle against the incredible harm caused by the misuse of opioids," Ms. Nicholas said in a statement. "The [Senate conference] committee crafted an important and appropriate balance on a number of key issues including timely substance use evaluations and limitations on first time opioid prescriptions."
Ms. Nicholas also said the bill would help Massachusetts hospitals build on MHA's Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Task Force recommendations that were issued last year.
"MHA and our member hospitals look forward to continued collaboration with the legislature, and other state, community and healthcare leaders to advance the effectiveness of the healthcare system in confronting substance use disorders and opioid addiction," she added in a statement. "With so many lives affected by this crisis, much has to be done and done in a timely fashion."
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