Senators Focus On Opioid Addiction And Treatment Issues
Various proposals are being floated, including measures to address doctor shopping as well as protections for opioid-dependent parents who seek treatment, that could ultimately be folded into a comprehensive effort. Meanwhile, The Huffington Post reports on the White House's interest in tackling the epidemic.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Bill Aims To Curb Narcotics Abuse Among Medicare Recipients
Older patients who get narcotics prescriptions from more than one doctor or who fill them at more than one pharmacy soon could have to streamline. As part of an effort to prevent opioid abuse, lawmakers are teeing up legislation that would limit Medicare Part D beneficiaries to a single pharmacy and a single provider for narcotics. Medicaid beneficiaries already are subject to those limitations. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said he plans to call a committee vote soon. (Mauriello, 2/23)
CQ Healthbeat:
Senators Push To Keep Seniors From Doctor Shopping For Opioids
Bipartisan legislation aimed at blocking Medicare recipients from shopping for doctors and pharmacists likely to prescribe opioids could help address the national prescription drug abuse epidemic, Senate Finance Committee Democrats said at a hearing Tuesday. But they urged Republicans to broaden their approach to encourage more addiction treatment. (Zanona, 2/23)
Reuters:
Senators Push Protections For Opioid-Dependent Parents, Infants
Key senators said on Tuesday they are crafting a law that would allow states to use federal foster care funds to help opioid-addicted parents raise their infants. The senior Republican and Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee envision the law as part of a comprehensive effort to address the opioid crisis with increased prevention, treatment and law enforcement. (Shiffman, 2/23)
The Huffington Post:
Obama Found Religion On The Heroin Epidemic In Charleston, West Virginia
If President Barack Obama is able to forge bipartisan consensus on tackling the opioid epidemic roiling the nation, it will be with an assist from David Grubb.
Grubb is not a scientist working on a breakthrough medication to combat heroin addiction. He’s not a public health advocate arguing for a major investment in recovery clinics. He’s not a member of Congress, shepherding a bill to devote hundreds of millions of dollars to law enforcement and medical facilities. He’s a former state senator in West Virginia who now heads a consumer protection and employment law firm in Charleston. He has a story -- heart-wrenching and all-too-common -- about the toll that heroin takes on a life. (Grim and Stein, 2/23)
