Bill > H3674

This bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Department of Public Health, will examine the prescribing and treatment histories of individuals in the Commonwealth who died from opiate overdoses in 2014, with the findings to be reported in an aggregate and de-identified format to identify trends. To facilitate this examination, various state agencies, including the Division of Medical Assistance and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, will be required to provide necessary information, such as data from the prescription drug monitoring program and criminal offender record information. The report, due by February 1, 2016, will detail specific findings like instances of patients receiving opiate prescriptions from multiple doctors, simultaneous prescriptions for opioids and other potentially dangerous drugs like benzodiazepines, the individuals' overall opiate prescription history, their history of substance addiction treatment (including attempts to access treatment and denial of access), prior overdose treatment, and any treatment received during periods of detention or incarceration. A work plan outlining the progress of this report is also required by October 1, 2015, and both the work plan and the final report will be submitted to legislative clerks and relevant joint committees.