Along with the services we provide to our members, Priority Health is actively monitoring for all legislation and regulation that may impact our members.

Federal

On October 26, 2017, President Trump directed the Department of Health and Human Services to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency.

On November 1, 2017, the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis released its final report. It includes 56 recommendations that now fall on Congress, several federal departments and local governments to fund and implement.

State

In December, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley signed a 10-bill package aimed at reducing Michigan’s growing opioid epidemic. Key bills include Senate Bills 166 and 167, requiring prescribers to check a patient’s prescription history in the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) prior to providing them with controlled substances. The bills also create disciplinary action for prescribers who fail to use MAPS. The bills are now Public Acts (PA) 248 and 249 of 2017.

Other reforms in the package include:

• House Bill 4408, requires prescribers to provide information about the dangers of opioids. Now PA 246.
• SB 270, requires prescribers to have a bona-fide physician-patient relationship before prescribing controlled substances. Now PA 247.
• SB 273, requires health professionals to provide information on substance use treatment services to patients who have experienced an overdose. Now PA 250.
• SB 274, limits the supply of an opioid prescribed for acute pain.  Beginning July 1, 2018, a prescriber can't prescribe more than a 7-day supply of an opioid for acute pain within a 7-day period. Now PA 251.
• SB 47, clarifies requirements for when MAPS must be consulted prior to prescribing an opioid. Now PA 252.
• HB 4403, codifies treatment options for Medicaid beneficiaries suffering from opioid addiction. Now PA 253.
• HB 4406, requires the Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Commission to develop recommendations for the Michigan Department of Education on how to instruct students on the dangers of prescription drug abuse and addiction. Now PA 254.
• HB 4407, requires schools to include education on opioids and the potential for addiction, in health education curriculum. Now PA 255.

Other state progress includes:

• Expanding Michigan’s Good Samaritan law
• Encouraging people to report overdoses without fear of being arrested
• Increasing the number of prescription drug drop off bins
• Expanding the availability of Medication Assisted Therapy
• Implementing innovative recovery programs.

Michigan has also issued a standing order for naloxone to pharmacies, making the overdose antidote more readily available. Nearly 1,300 orders were dispensed in the first three months.