Bill

HB 3285

86(R) - 2019
House Public Health
Senate Health & Human Services
House Public Health
Senate Health & Human Services

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

J.D. Sheffield
Stephanie Klick
Joe Moody
Four Price

Sponsor(s)

Joan Huffman

Bill Caption

Relating to programs and initiatives to prevent and respond to opioid addiction, misuse, abuse, and overdose and identify and treat co-occurring substance use disorders and mental illness.

Fiscal Notes

The fiscal implications of the bill would be significant, but cannot be determined at this time as the cost for the provisions of the bill relating to expanding telehealth services for treatment of substance use disorders is unknown.

Bill Analysis

HB 3285 would establish a collaborative effort in order to encourage health-related institutions to conduct research relating to disorders that involve prescription drugs. This plan would include the coordination of the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Health and Human Service Commission, and the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division to create evidence based plan that would provide financial assistance to individuals who are likely to come in contact with persons abusing opioids. The bill would require prescribers to enroll in continuing education for a minimum of one hour per year.

Under the bill, the Department of State Health Services would create a public awareness campaign. This effort would also authorize the Commissioner of the Health and Human Service Commission to provide opioid antagonists (a drug that acts on neurological receptors), under a grant program for the purpose of administering to individuals who are experiencing an overdose.

In addition, the bill would allow for the Medicaid reimbursement for certain medications for individuals who are affected by opioid substance abuse. Lastly, the bill would require medical professionals of a pain management clinic (example: specialized anesthetic care) to encourage the participation in the program in order to identify patients who are struggling with substance abuse.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action opposes HB 3285 because the bill violates our principle of limited government. This bill includes provisions that would grow the cost and size of government in an area that would best be served by the free market and non-profit entities.

In addition to growing state government, the bill fails to provide an adequate fiscal note. According to TIME, Nacan (Naloxone), the drug that is most commonly used to inject an individual who has experienced a drug overdose, costs on average $140 for a kit. In the event of emergency personal attending to multiple overdoses, it is apparent that these costs would add up very quickly.

For these reasons, we remain opposed to HB 3285.