Relates to dispensing certain controlled substances for use by a person with a substance use disorder

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic5
• Republican1

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Michelle Hinchey says this is needed

Patients with opioid use disorder who have overdosed and require nalox- one reversal are at increased risk for recurrent overdose and death and also present an opportunity for intervention. Buprenorphine, a partial opioid antagonist, provides some relief from opioid withdrawal symptoms. It is safe and effective for paramedic administration. A pilot project in California came to the conclusion that EMS administered buprenorphine is possible, safe, and results in significant retention in care at 30 days. Prehospital initiation of buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) by paramedics is an emerging potential intervention to reach the patients at greatest risk for opioid-related deaths. Emergency medical services (EMS) patients who are at high risk for over- dose deaths may never engage In treatment as they frequently decline transport to the hospital after natoxone reversal Not only is there a high level of stigma in treating these patients, but also there is a lack of training and education among EMS personnel about the acute treatments for OUD in the emergency department. Strong evidence suggests that the initiation of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is the single most effective intervention to prevent overdose deaths in patients with OUD and that increasing access to medi- cation should be a national public health priority. (from H. Gene Hem, Vanessa Lara, David Goldstein, M. Kalmin, S. Kidane, S. Shoptaw, Ori Tzvieli & Andrew A. Herring (2023) Prehospital Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder by Paramedics: First Year Results of the EMS Buprenorphine Use Pilot, Prehospital Emergency Care, 27:3, 334-342, D 01:10.1080/10903127.2022,2061661)

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.