Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Relating to access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder under Medicaid.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
SB 1564 would align Texas Medicaid policy with federal law with respect to the ability to prescribe buprenorphine by using the federal definition of "qualifying practitioner," which includes physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives. This would allow these practitioners to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder.
SB 1564 would also direct the Health and Human Services Commission to amend its Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Services Medical Policy, as well as any other provider or claims payment policy or manual necessary to authorize Medicaid benefits reimbursement for the prescribing of buprenorphine by a certain advanced practice registered nurse, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife.
Texas Action remains neutral on SB 1564 because it does not affect our liberty principles.