An Act relative to the establishment of and payments into an opioid stewardship fund


Lead Sponsors: Representative Simon Cataldo and Senator Jason M. Lewis

 

Impetus
For years law enforcement and other first responders have been administering nasal naloxone to revive people who are experiencing an opioid overdose. Today, as communities across the Commonwealth continue to grapple with the impact of the opioid epidemic more and more citizens are equipping themselves with this safe antidote that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Recognizing that naloxone is a key part of the community public health response to this epidemic, Massachusetts has already removed certain barriers that have kept this life-saving drug from being available at the critical minute by adapting rules on prescriptions, through training efforts and by the development of simplified delivery mechanisms such as improved nasal sprays. Although public funds have been used to create a basic inventory for law enforcement and other first responders, others are still denied access by the cost, even those whose insurance provides some level of drug coverage.

This Bill would create an additional source of funds to meet the existing insurance co-payments so that the cost of Naloxone is greatly reduced or free of charge to those who need it.

Need

  • This Bill calls on those who sell, distribute, or deliver opioids in the Commonwealth to subsidize the cost of making insurance co-payments so that the cost of Naloxone is greatly reduced or free of charge to those who need it.

Legislative Fix

  • This Bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to establish a Naloxone Co-Pay Assistance Program to improve access, and to supplement or cover the cost of insurance co-payments. The programs would be supported by monies paid annually into an Opioids Stewardship Fund by each manufacturer and distributor, based on their share of the value of all opioids sold or distributed in the Commonwealth.