Latest step to combat opioid crisis will expand treatment options and help save lives

Recently, the Massachusetts Legislature approved legislation to combat the opioid crisis and support residents living with substance use disorder (SUD).  H.5143, An Act relative to treatments and coverage for substance use disorder and recovery coach licensure, will expand non-opioid pain treatments, establish licenses for recovery coaches, and support pregnant people and their children who have been exposed to substances.

It will vastly expand access to opioid-reversal drugs like naloxone. Over the last 4 years over 10,000 Bostonians have experienced an overdose and over 1,000 people have died from one according to the Department of Public Health (DPH). Since 2023, naloxone has
reversed more than 10,000 overdoses in Massachusetts.

“I am proud that the Senate stayed at the table with House negotiators up until the end of session to come up with compromise language to achieve the critical reforms we need to prioritize substance abuse treatment and recovery”, said Senator Nick Collins, who
sits on the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Recovery.

Senator Collins added, “I am also grateful to my legislative team for their active participation in the lawmaking process this session, particularly my Chief of Staff Haley Walsh. The best ideas come from identifying a practical response to real world problems. Haley’s
response to the state’s naloxone shortage demonstrates that. While the city continues to be pummeled by overdoses it’s critical that this life-saving medication is available. Because of her ability to put forth a common sense provision to a gap in our state law, Haley’s efforts helped convince my colleagues to change state law and now our Commonwealth will be more equipped and prepared to respond to the opioid epidemic.”

The bill mandates that all health plans cover opioid reversal drugs such as naloxone and Narcan—without cost-sharing or prior authorization. It also requires hospitals and substance use treatment facilities to educate patients on opioid reversal drugs and prescribe or dispense at least two doses to at-risk patients upon discharge. It also requires pharmacies in areas with high incidences of overdoses to maintain a sufficient and consistent supply of opioid reversal drugs while requiring them to stock both over the counter
and prescription versions.  This legislation was authored by Senator Collins with the help of South Boston’s Haley Walsh, his Chief of Staff and former Legislative Director. It was inspired by a situation that confronted her downtown.

“After an incident with an emotionally disturbed person battling addiction near the State House, I realized my Narcan expired. Worse, I was unable to find any in stock at three different downtown pharmacies where opioid overdoses are prevalent. When I relayed my
concerns to Senator Collins about Narcan not being readily available in pharmacies as required by state law, he asked me to draft legislation increasing the standards and accountability to ensure ample supplies were available statewide”, said Chief Walsh.

Chief Walsh further explained that “soon after the legislation was filed, heard and later included in the omnibus substance abuse treatment legislation passed by the Senate and later in the final compromise adopted by Legislature at the end of the session. I am
thankful this legislation passed so I and others have peace of mind knowing that life saving medication will be available. So in case of an emergency, citizens will be equipped to assist in saving somebody’s loved one from an overdose.”