New Jersey Assembly Bill A2191

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24
• Refer: 12/12/24

Caption

Establishes "Remote Methadone Dosing Pilot Program;" appropriates $225,000.

Impact

The bill appropriates $225,000 from the General Fund to facilitate the program's implementation. This funding includes grants of $75,000 for each OTP selected to participate in the pilot program, which will take place over a three-year period. Specific sites for participation include OTPs in Atlantic City, Camden, and Paterson. Each participating program is mandated to report patient outcomes and cost data back to the Department of Human Services annually. This provision heralds an opportunity to analyze data on treatment compliance, retention, and potential cost reductions, including savings on medical transportation.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2191 establishes a Remote Methadone Dosing Pilot Program under the Department of Human Services in New Jersey. The aim of this program is to enhance compliance and reduce costs related to medication-assisted treatments provided by opioid treatment programs (OTPs) through remote dosing methods. By implementing telehealth and telemedicine services for monitoring patients, the bill intends to evaluate the efficacy of remote methadone dosing on patient outcomes and overall treatment costs for opioid use disorder. It also emphasizes the need for legislative recommendations following the evaluation of the pilot program's effectiveness after a stipulated period.

Contention

Despite the program's benefits, there are concerns regarding its implementation. The legislation explicitly states that participation is voluntary for patients, addressing potential issues of coercion in treatment. However, discussions around the bill may highlight the apprehensions of stakeholders in the mental health and addiction services sectors regarding the long-term implications of remote dosing on patient relationships with healthcare providers. There is also an underlying apprehension about patient trust in remote monitoring technologies, which may affect the willingness of some patients to engage with the program despite its convenience and potential benefits.