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By Blair Childs, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Premier Inc.
Premier and its members are extremely disappointed that the final compromise package (H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients Communities Act) addressing the nation’s opioid epidemic failed to include the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act (H.R. 6082). While H.R. 6 provides many valuable policies to address the needs of those suffering from substance use disorders, it left out the force multiplier in H.R. 6082 that would enhance each of the tools in this package to help ensure doctors, nurses, and other caregivers can see the full medical record to safely treat patients suffering from addiction.
Premier and 167 patient, healthcare provider, physician, addiction treatment, municipal and other organizations, as well as the nation’s governors, state Medicaid directors and HHS have called for Part 2 reform to combat opioid misuse. In the House, 357 members of Congress, including every physician elected, voted for H.R. 6082. The Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act would strengthen patient protections and improve the healthcare community’s ability to coordinate care for patients suffering from substance use disorders safely and discretely, just like for every other disease covered by HIPAA. Imagine a doctor or nurse trying to remotely care for a patients’ health, but not having access to the full medical record to safely and effectively coordinate care. We call on Congress to not let this issue fall short and urge lawmakers to hold a separate vote on H.R. 6082, if it is not included in the final compromise package.
Contact: Public_Relations@premierinc.com