May 26, 2022

Here’s a good summary of most Senate Opioid Package actions taken yesterday.  When you click on the link for an individual bill, it takes you to a page that describes the current status of the legislation including which bills are now moving over to the Assembly for further action.  The OMIG Reform bill is part of this package and we are pleased to report the Assembly already passed it!  

Senators endorsed a total of eight opioid-related bills, including measures that would: prohibit insurance companies from imposing co-pays for opioid treatment programs NY S5690 (21R); ensure availability of buprenorphine in opioid treatment programs NY S6746 (21R); ensure abuse-deterrent drugs are accessible to patients NY S4532 (21R); require providers to consider, discuss and refer or prescribe non-opioid treatment alternatives for neuromusculoskeletal conditions NY S4640 (21R).

They also approved legislation that would establish a nightlife opioid antagonist program that allows certain establishments to apply and receive at least 10 doses of an opioid antagonist, like Narcan NY S8633 (21R); and another that requires certain public facilities to maintain a stop of opioid antagonists in first aid kits and to train staff on how to use them NY S8708 (21R).

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said in a statement that the package “helps support treatment programs to ensure we provide the best possible care and ensure that life-saving treatments are more readily available to New Yorkers struggling with addiction.”

But the New York State Conference of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans argued that the abuse-deterrent drug bill “will put more money in the pockets of drug manufacturers, increase prescription drug costs for consumers, and do nothing to address the growing opioid crisis in New York.”