Massachusetts Senate Bill S1259

Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/16/23
• Refer: 2/16/23

Caption

Relative to the establishment of and payments into an opioid stewardship fund

Impact

If enacted, Bill S1259 will create a separate trust fund, the Opioid Stewardship Fund, to support the Naloxone Co-Pay Assistance Program. This fund will be fed by opioid stewardship payments from manufacturers and distributors of opioids and managed by the Department of Public Health. The objective is to ensure sustainability for the program and accountable management of resources directed towards combating opioid addiction and its associated challenges.

Summary

Bill S1259 aims to address the ongoing opioid epidemic in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by establishing the Opioid Stewardship Fund and a Naloxone Co-Pay Assistance Program. The bill recognizes the critical role that naloxone plays in saving lives from opioid overdoses and aims to ensure that individuals can access this life-saving medication without financial burden. By offering copay assistance, the bill seeks to lower or even eliminate the costs associated with obtaining naloxone, thereby enhancing its accessibility throughout the state.

Contention

The bill acknowledges that while access to naloxone has improved, prohibitive copay costs remain a barrier for many in need. It aims to mitigate these barriers but may also raise concerns regarding the financial implications for opioid manufacturers and distributors. Stakeholders may debate the appropriateness of the proposed stewardship payments and the potential regulatory burden on these entities—particularly given the historical context of the opioid crisis and its socioeconomic impacts on communities across the Commonwealth.