Opioid Reform Signed by President Includes Renacci's Strengthening Partnerships to Prevent Opioid Abuse Act

Press Release

Following yesterday's signing of the landmark opioid aid package at the White House, Congressman Jim Renacci (R-OH) released the following statement:

"Yesterday's signing signals a distinct shift in the way our country is going to tackle this terrible epidemic that is plaguing so many Americans and their families. I applaud the President's swift action on this issue and am glad several bills, as well as other measures I pushed for, were ultimately included in the final version. This landmark reform bill will provide the necessary resources to the state of Ohio, which has largely been at the heart of this crisis."

Renacci championed many bills and provisions to benefit Ohioans that were included in the final bill signed by President Trump:

H.R. 5715, Strengthening Partnerships to Prevent Opioid Abuse Act -- Introduced by Rep. Renacci with Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Scott Peters (D-CA), this legislation requires CMS to establish a secure web portal that allows for secure communication between MA organizations, Part D plans, and CMS concerning substantiated fraud, waste, and abuse.
H.R. 5685, Medicare Opioid Safety Education Act -- Introduced by Rep. Renacci with Reps. John Faso (R-NY) and Peter Welch (D-VT), this legislation requires the annual Medicare and You Handbook for beneficiaries to include educational resources on opioid use and pain management
H.R. 3528, Every Prescription Conveyed Securely Act -- Requires physicians and other practitioners prescribe Part D-covered controlled substances electronically in order to prevent diversion of prescription opioids
H.R. 5041, Safe Disposal of Unused Medication Act -- Authorizes qualified hospice employees to dispose of unused prescribed controlled substances after a patient has passed away in order to prevent diversion
H.R. 4841, Standardizing Electronic Prior Authorization for Safe Prescribing Act -- Requires electronic prior authorization for Part D-covered drugs to reduce diversion and inappropriate prescribing
H.R. 5773, Preventing Addiction for Susceptible Seniors Act -- Requires beneficiaries at risk for prescription drug abuse to be eligible for Part D plan's Medication Therapy Management programs and requires HHS to notify prescribers annually if they have been identified as an outlying prescriber of opioids compared to others in their geographic area and specialty
H.R. 5723, Expanding Oversight of Opioid Prescribing and Payment Act -- Requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to submit a report to Congress on how Medicare pays for opioid vs. non-opioid pain management treatments and recommendations for how to address any identified adverse incentives

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