2021 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 82
BY SENATOR MIZELL
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to study and report on options
regarding reimbursements for nonopioid pain treatment and opioid alternatives in the
Louisiana Medicaid program.
WHEREAS, there is an epidemic of opioid deaths in the United States with the
number of deaths from opioid overdose exceeding those from suicides or auto accidents; and
WHEREAS, over half of opioid overdose deaths are related to medications obtained
legally through a prescription; and
WHEREAS, excessive opioid prescribing, high-dose prescriptions, and chronic use
increase the risk for opioid dependency, overdose, and death; and
WHEREAS, several studies fail to show the benefits of long-term opioid therapy and
the first and only long-term study evaluating opioid versus nonopioid therapies for chronic
pain found no evidence of opioid superiority for either function or pain intensity; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for
Chronic Pain recommends nonopioid analgesics, antidepressants, and antiseizure
medications for the treatment of some forms of chronic pain; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has outlined options
and shared best practices for state Medicaid agencies and other payers to expand access to
nonopioid pain treatments and other tactics to help address pain and the opioid crisis; and
WHEREAS, to safeguard the health and wellbeing of Louisiana residents, it is
important for Louisiana health policymakers to support these guidelines and encourage
health care providers to engage in prescribing patterns that support evidence-based safety
standards.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to study and report on
options regarding reimbursements for nonopioid pain treatment and opioid alternatives in
the Louisiana Medicaid program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no later than February 1, 2022, the department
shall prepare and submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Senate
Committee on Health and Welfare.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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