Legislature(2019 - 2020)CAPITOL 106
04/16/2019 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
HB89 | |
HB114 | |
Confirmation Hearing(s):|| Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees | |
Commissioner, Department of Health and Social Services | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= | HB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 114 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+ | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 89-OPIOID PRESCRIPTION INFORMATION 3:12:55 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 89, "An Act relating to the prescription of opioids; relating to the practice of dentistry; relating to the practice of medicine; relating to the practice of podiatry; relating to the practice of osteopathy; relating to the practice of nursing; relating to the practice of optometry; and relating to the practice of pharmacy." [Before the committee was the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 89, labeled 31-LS0421\U, Fisher, 4/3/19, adopted as the working document on 4/4/19.] 3:13:29 PM MIRANDA DORDAN, Intern, Representative Ivy Spohnholz, Alaska State Legislature, reviewed HB 89 on behalf of Representative Spohnholz, sponsor. She said the bill would mitigate the opioid public health epidemic that Alaska is currently facing. The bill would do this by increasing patient awareness of opioid dependence and addiction before the patient receives an opioid prescription. She paraphrased from the following written sectional analysis included in the committee packet, which read [original punctuation provided]: Section 1. Bill Name is Opioid Addiction Risk Disclosure. Legislative Findings hold that The State has a moral, financial, and public health interest in reducing opioid and heroin addiction in Alaska. There has been a copious amount of medically document evidence that shows that opioid prescription drugs are addictive and can create issues for patients Section 2. Amends AS 08.36.070 Duties of Opioid Prescribing Dentists: Inform patients, in provider's "own words", of potential addiction dangers from extended opioid use; and any reasonable treatment alternatives, if they exist, to the recommended opioid prescription; distribute Department of Health and Social Services short handout on some potential dangers. Regulations/Enforcement of Bill: Board power to consider discipline for dentists who "habitually" violate bill requirements; potential board discipline, but no additional legal civil liability cause of action created by bill, to protect against hostile legal relationship between patient and provider. Section 3. Amends AS 08.64.101(a) Duties of Opioid Prescribing Medical, Osteopathy and Podiatry Providers: Inform patients, in provider's "own words", of potential addiction dangers from extended opioid use; and any reasonable treatment alternatives, if they exist, to the recommended opioid prescription; distribute Department of Health and Social Services short handout on some potential dangers. Regulations/Enforcement of Bill: Board power to consider discipline for medical, osteopathy and podiatry providers who "habitually" violate bill requirements; potential board discipline, but no additional legal civil liability cause of action created by bill, to protect against hostile legal relationship between patient and provider. Section 4. Amends AS 08.68.100(a) Duties of Opioid Prescribing Registered Nurses: Inform patients, in provider's "own words", of potential addiction dangers from extended opioid use; and any reasonable treatment alternatives, if they exist, to the recommended opioid prescription; distribute Department of Health and Social Services short handout on some potential dangers. Regulations/Enforcement of Bill: Board power to consider discipline for registered nurses who habitually" violate bill requirements; potential board discipline, but no additional legal civil liability cause of action created by bill, to protect against hostile legal relationship between patient and provider. Section 5. Amends AS 08.72.050 Duties of Opioid Prescribing Optometrists: Inform patients, in provider's "own words", of potential addiction dangers from extended opioid use; and any reasonable treatment alternatives, if they exist, to the recommended opioid prescription; distribute Department of Health and Social Services short handout on some potential dangers. Regulations/Enforcement of Bill: Board power to consider discipline for registered optometrists who "habitually" violate bill requirements; potential board discipline, but no additional legal civil liability cause of action created by bill, to protect against hostile legal relationship between patient and provider. Section 6. Amends AS 08.80.030(b) Duties of Opioid Prescribing Pharmacists: Inform patients, in provider's "own words", of potential addiction dangers from extended opioid use; and any reasonable treatment alternatives, if they exist, to the recommended opioid prescription; distribute Department of Health and Social Services short handout on some potential dangers. Regulations/Enforcement of Bill: Board power to consider discipline for registered pharmacists who "habitually" violate bill requirements; potential board discipline, but no additional legal civil liability cause of action created by bill, to protect against hostile legal relationship between patient and provider. Section 7. Inserts a new paragraph in AS 47.37.040 under subheading (24) that creates a visual aid for providers to hand out to patients when they are being prescribed opioids. This handout will provide easily understandable and concise information on opioids, including the inherent addictive and harmful qualities of opioids. This visual aid also will also provide information on opioid statistics specific to Alaska. 3:15:19 PM REPRESENTATIVE JACKSON inquired how HB 89 provides that doctors would be held accountable. CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ replied the bill would allow each of the governing boards that oversee the practicing providers to develop and enforce the regulations as the boards see fit. 3:15:55 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ opened public testimony on HB 89. 3:16:23 PM ROBIN MINARD, Chief Communications Officer, Mat-Su Health Foundation, testified in support of HB 89. She noted the foundation shares ownership in the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Wasilla and Palmer, and that the foundation's share of the profits are invested back into the community to improve the health and wellness of residents. She continued: Along with community partners the foundation conducted a community health needs assessment and it included data analysis, public polling in 24 community forums as well as an online forum. Our community ranked alcohol and substance abuse as the number one health issue in Mat-Su. In response to that we completed a behavioral health environmental scan, and this was a multi-year project that resulted in three reports and numerous recommendations. One of those recommendations was adoption of strict guidelines for prescribing narcotics. The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is helping a lot in that arena and HB 89 builds upon a safer prescribing environment by ensuring that prescribers educate patients about the dangers associated with opioids. There were 10 opioid related overdose deaths in Mat-Su in 2018 and 114 deaths statewide. That means 114 families lost a child, a father, a mother, a brother, or a sister. Even one death is too many, especially when it is entirely preventable. Many individuals addicted to heroin were first exposed to opioids as a result of legally written prescriptions for pain management. They may have made different choices had they known that the drug prescribed by their doctor was highly addictive. People occasionally do need assistance dealing with pain, but when they do, they should be fully informed about the potential dangers of opioids. The impact of drug abuse goes beyond the tragic and unnecessary loss of life and devastated families. A 2015 report from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority stated that the estimated cost of drug abuse to the Alaska economy totaled $1.22 billion. Included in that figure are productivity loss, traffic collisions, criminal justice and protective services, health care, and public assistance and social services. These costs are borne by state and local governments, employers, and residents of Alaska. The devastation to our communities being done by opioids must end. We believe that HB 89 will help bring that end. 3:19:12 PM PATTY OWEN, Member, Board of Directors, Alaska Public Health Association, testified in support of HB 89. She said the association is a membership organization of about 150 health professionals and community members statewide that are dedicated to improving "the health and wellbeing of Alaska's public health." The association is an affiliate of the national American Public Health Association. The association supports HB 89 and subscribes to the multi-pronged approach of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in opioid use and abuse prevention, which includes better prescribing practices, supporting the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and expanded use of naloxone. She is here today to support patient education and education in general for providers and the public. Additionally, the association supports public education in terms of media campaigns and education in schools and communities. 3:21:09 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ closed public testimony and held over HB 89.
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