New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill SCR54

Introduced
1/31/22  

Caption

Urges U.S. President, Congress, and Department of Health and Human Services to ease patient limits applicable to private physicians prescribing buprenorphine as part of medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders.

Impact

The bill addresses significant issues associated with the federal 'Controlled Substances Act' and its amendments under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000, which restricts the ability of physicians to prescribe buprenorphine to a limited number of patients. The resolution is grounded in research indicating that buprenorphine significantly lowers the risk of fatal overdose and promotes recovery, yet less than 32,000 physicians are presently authorized to prescribe it due to these federal regulations. This resolution aims to enhance the accessibility of buprenorphine treatment, potentially increasing the number of patients who can receive care, thus impacting the broader opioid crisis by promoting recovery supports.

Summary

SCR54 is a concurrent resolution introduced in the New Jersey Legislature that urges the President and Congress of the United States, along with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), to ease current patient limits on private physicians prescribing buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a medication used in treatment for opioid dependence, recognized for its ability to assist individuals in managing their addictions. The resolution specifically calls for the elimination of the 30-patient limit currently imposed under federal law for private physicians treating opioid-dependent patients. This limit is viewed as a barrier to effective treatment, as many individuals unable to access necessary care suffer from untreated addiction.

Contention

Notably, there are concerns surrounding the current regulations as they are deemed outdated by many experts and advocates. The legislation recognizes that despite the intent to prevent misuse, the existing patient limits likely impede treatment access more than they mitigate risks. Advocacy groups have pushed for reforms, stating that the federal restrictions reflect outdated prejudices against addiction, impeding the effective treatment of opioid use disorders. The resolution calls for legislative change to facilitate better care for those struggling with addiction, emphasizing that the inability of private physicians to adequately treat larger numbers of patients undercuts the potential for recovery in many individuals.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

CA AB2384

Medication-assisted treatment.

CA SB554

Nurse practitioners: physician assistants: buprenorphine.

KY HB788

AN ACT relating to buprenorphine products.

MA H3486

Resolutions urging the Congress of the United States to update the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 and remove excessive training requirements mandated for obtaining a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine

MA H3827

Resolutions urging the Congress of the United States to update the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 and remove excessive training requirements mandated for obtaining a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine

TN HB2308

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to the use of buprenorphine products.

TN SB2297

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to the use of buprenorphine products.

TN SB0421

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 41; Title 53 and Title 63, relative to healthcare prescribers.