Senator introduces bills to fight opioid epidemic in RI; health centers to get $650,000

March 11, 2016 4:29 pm

By News Staff

The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ Federal Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell says two Rhode Island health centers will receive $650,000 in federal money to pay to improve and expand substance abuse services, especially for opioid use.

Officials with the department say the money will help Rhode Island increase the number of patients that can be screened for substance abuse disorders. It will also help connect more users to treatment.

The money is part of a $94 million federal effort going to 271 health centers. In Rhode Island, East Bay Community Action in Newport and Thundermist Health Center in Warwick will each receive $325,000.

The department estimates the number of unintentional overdose deaths from prescription pain medications increased almost fourfold from 1999 to 2013. Heroin deaths rose 39 percent from 2012 to 2013.

Sen. Joshua Miller, chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, has introduced a package of legislation taking aim at the opioid overdose epidemic. The overall goals of the legislation are to help prevent Rhode Islanders from becoming addicted in the first place, and to get swift, effective treatment for those who are addicted or overdose.

His first bill aims to ensure that those who are treated at hospitals, clinics and urgent care facilities with a substance-abuse disorder receive the follow-up care they need to address their addiction.

Another bill would require health practitioners and health plan coverage to support clinical practices fostering use of abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drug product formulations approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A third bill would require all health insurance providers that provide prescription coverage to cover opioid antagonists, such as Narcan.

The final bill in the package adds a $1 fee per covered life per month for third-party administrators of pharmacy benefit plans, to be paid when filing their annual report with the state. The funds will go into a restricted-receipt account and would be spent on treatment for opioid use disorders. It is expected to raise about $500,000 annually.