By Bob Katzen
The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a conference committee version of legislation that supporters say would expand non-opioid pain treatments; establish licenses for recovery coaches, support pregnant women and their children who have been exposed to substances; and vastly expand access to opioid-reversal drugs. The House and Senate had approved different versions of the legislation and a conference committee hammered out this compromise version.
Other provisions mandate that all health plans cover opioid reversal drugs such as Naloxone and Narcan—without cost-sharing or prior authorization; require hospitals and substance use treatment facilities to educate patients on opioid reversal drugs and prescribe or dispense at least two doses to at-risk patients upon discharge; require pharmacies in areas with high incidences of overdoses to maintain a sufficient and consistent supply of opioid reversal drugs while also requiring them to stock both over the counter and prescription versions.
The bill includes several new insurance provisions, including a prohibition on life insurance companies from limiting or refusing coverage to a person solely because they obtained an opioid-reversal drug, and a prohibition on medical malpractice insurers from discriminating against health care practitioners who provide harm reduction services. The bill also updates requirements for insurance providers to ensure adequate coverage and access to pain management services including non-opioid treatments and expands access to non-opioid pain treatment by incorporating non-opioid alternatives into provider training.
“Too many families have known the pain of substance use disorder and, tragically, the loss of a loved one because of it,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Opioids have stolen life from parents, children, siblings and friends. The legislation approved by the Legislature … makes powerful strides towards mitigating this crisis by helping those coping with substance use disorder reduce harm, find treatment and achieve recovery that lasts a lifetime.”
“As families across Massachusetts know all too well, the impact of opioid addiction can be utterly devastating for the individual and for their loved ones, which is why a continued focus on combating substance use is a critical responsibility that we have as elected officials,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy).”
“I am happy to have played a role as one of the final six legislators who negotiated the contents of this bill,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “This is a very comprehensive, impactful bill devoid of controversy that will no doubt save lives at a very important time in history and a bill that the vast majority of the citizens of the commonwealth can support.”
“This comprehensive legislation affirms our commitment to treating substance use as a matter of public health, and I’m proud of our continued progress in promoting recovery and preventing overdose deaths,” said Rep. Adrian Madaro (D-Boston), House Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.