Bill > HR4983

This bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide information to healthcare providers in Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), which are community-based health centers that provide primary care services in underserved areas, and facilities of the Indian Health Service (IHS), which provides healthcare to Native Americans and Alaska Natives, on the best practices for prescribing naloxone. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. This information should be given to providers for patients receiving long-term opioid pain medication, those being treated for opioid use disorder, and any other patients identified as having a higher risk of overdose from heroin or prescription opioids. The bill clarifies that this information does not establish a medical standard of care and that no additional funds are authorized for this purpose, meaning it must be carried out using existing appropriations. The definition of "elevated risk of overdose" can be based on criteria from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Opioid Overdose Toolkit and may include patients starting opioid treatment, using long-acting opioid pain relievers, or those with respiratory diseases or other health conditions.