HJ45: Health insurance; coverage for abuse deterrent formulations for opioid medications.
WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution No. 630 (2015) directed the Health Insurance Reform Commission (Commission) to study mandating health insurance coverage for abuse deterrent formulations for opioid medications; and
WHEREAS, the Commission received testimony on this issue at its meeting on July 15, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the Commission heard testimony that formulations of opioid medications can deter the misuse and abuse of such drugs by making it difficult to snort or inject the drug for a more intense high; and
WHEREAS, as an example of the benefits, reformulated ER oxycodone resulted in savings in medical costs, workplace costs, criminal justice costs, and caregiver costs in 2014 totaling $1.04 billion; and
WHEREAS, the Commission also was advised while opioids in abuse deterrent formulations may be tamper deterrent, they remain subject to misuse and are addictive; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Insurance advised the Commission that there is no specific requirement for health insurance coverage for abuse deterrent formulations of opioid medications and that imposing such a requirement could result in a cost to the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Health Insurance Reform Commission be directed to continue its study of mandating health insurance coverage for abuse deterrent formulations for opioid medications.
The Office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates shall continue to provide administrative staff support. The Division of Legislative Services shall continue to provide legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the Commission. Technical assistance shall continue to be provided to the Commission by the Bureau of Insurance. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission for this study, upon request.
The Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2016, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2017 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 45
WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution No. 630 (2015) directed the Health Insurance Reform Commission (Commission) to study mandating health insurance coverage for abuse deterrent formulations for opioid medications; and
WHEREAS, the Commission received testimony on this issue at its meeting on July 15, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the Commission heard testimony that formulations of opioid medications can deter the misuse and abuse of such drugs by making it difficult to snort or inject the drug for a more intense high; and
WHEREAS, as an example of the benefits, reformulated ER oxycodone resulted in savings in medical costs, workplace costs, criminal justice costs, and caregiver costs in 2014 totaling $1.04 billion; and
WHEREAS, the Commission also was advised while opioids in abuse deterrent formulations may be tamper deterrent, they remain subject to misuse and are addictive; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Insurance advised the Commission that there is no specific requirement for health insurance coverage for abuse deterrent formulations of opioid medications and that imposing such a requirement could result in a cost to the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Health Insurance Reform Commission be directed to continue its study of mandating health insurance coverage for abuse deterrent formulations for opioid medications.
The Office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates shall continue to provide administrative staff support. The Division of Legislative Services shall continue to provide legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the Commission. Technical assistance shall continue to be provided to the Commission by the Bureau of Insurance. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission for this study, upon request.
The Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2016, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2017 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.