Bill > SB137

This bill requires hospitals in Ohio to provide overdose reversal drugs to patients discharged from the emergency department who have presented with symptoms of opioid overdose, opioid use disorder, or other adverse events related to opioid use. Hospitals are not required to provide the drug if the treating practitioner determines it is not appropriate, the patient already has the drug, the hospital lacks a supply of the drug, or the patient refuses to accept it. When providing the overdose reversal drug, hospitals must also give patients directions for using the drug and information about medications for opioid use disorder, harm reduction strategies, and available services like treatment and peer counseling. The bill allows hospitals to seek reimbursement from health benefit plans or Medicaid for the drug if it was purchased by the hospital. Hospitals must record and report each instance of providing an overdose reversal drug to state departments, while protecting patient privacy by not including identifying information. The Department of Behavioral Health is tasked with providing overdose reversal drugs to hospitals, subject to available funds, and establishing reporting standards in coordination with the Department of Health. The bill also provides liability protection for hospitals and their employees when fulfilling these requirements.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb137