HARRISBURG – Patients suffering from opioid addiction would have a broader range of treatment options under legislation introduced today by Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46).
Bartolotta’s Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, Senate Bill 428, would mandate a comprehensive, patient-centered focus on the treatment of opioid addiction. The legislation would require treatment centers to follow best practices and offer a wider variety of services to meet the unique needs of each patient.
In current practice, treatment options vary widely among treatment centers based on the treatment setting. For example, a patient at a methadone clinic is far more likely to be placed on methadone, while that same patient might be treated with an abstinence-only approach in a different setting, regardless of the patient’s medical needs and circumstances.
“Every person struggling with substance abuse is unique and has different circumstances which have contributed to his or her addiction issues, and that also means that there are a lot of different paths to recovery,” Bartolotta said. “Our goal should be to evaluate the specific needs of each individual and sort through all available treatment options in order to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that gives them the best chance to beat their addiction.”
Bartolotta’s legislation mandates training and experience requirements for prescribers of all FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid dependence, as well as the development of an abuse and diversion plan and best practice guidelines for treatment by providers.
The bill also requires initial and periodic behavioral health assessments for each patient and requires providers to obtain informed consent from a patient regarding all available treatment options.
CONTACT: Colleen Greer (717) 787-1463