March 15, 2019
As we have reported to members, the MAFP is supportive of a bill allowing hospice medical directors to prescribe controlled substances for pain for terminally-ill patients without a face-to-face visit.
A bill allowing this did not make it through the Senate, but Wednesday, House members added the language to an existing bill,
SB 2781
, which then passed the House by an overwhelming margin.
The hospice language in the amendment conforms to the national standard of care, allows for continuity of care for end-of-life pain management, and provides safe and effective diversion options for all prescribing physicians. Our research indicates that more than half of the states in the country have regulated or legislated similar exemptions for hospice providers.
The bill's next step is to return to the committee of origin, the Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committee, chaired by Sen. John Polk of Hattiesburg. We must ask Senator Polk to CONCUR on the amended bill so it will go directly to the Governor's desk for his signature.
CALL TO ACTION:
- Please contact your local Senator and ask him or her to vote to concur on SB 2781. The Capitol switchboard is (601) 359-3770 and individual senators' numbers can be found here.
MAFP will continue to update members on this and other important issues in the state legislature. This year's session is expected to end April 6.
