PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 3376
PRINTER'S NO. 3505
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
893
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY READSHAW, BARBIN, PAYNE, CALTAGIRONE, HARPER,
FREEMAN, D. COSTA, VEREB, COHEN, PASHINSKI, TAYLOR, ROTHMAN,
KIRKLAND, HEFFLEY, WARD, JAMES, SCHLOSSBERG, McNEILL,
V. BROWN, DRISCOLL, NEILSON, O'BRIEN, DONATUCCI, GIBBONS,
SAYLOR, STAATS, MILNE, BURNS, GABLER, GINGRICH AND MAJOR,
MAY 18, 2016
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 13, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study and publish a report on the benefits, costs and
drawbacks of alternative opioid dependence treatment programs
that utilize Federal Food and Drug Administration-approved
medications.
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania families are at the front lines of the
opiate epidemic in this Commonwealth, with approximately seven
individuals dying each day from opioid-induced overdoses; and
WHEREAS, The opioid problem in this Commonwealth has grown to
epidemic proportions and is a major health hazard for all
Pennsylvanians; and
WHEREAS, We, as a community, must stop simply talking about
the issue and begin looking for viable options to combat this
disease and provide individuals with all avenues for recovery;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study and publish a
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report on the benefits, costs and drawbacks of alternative
opioid dependence treatment programs that utilize Federal Food
and Drug Administration-approved medications; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission examine
the following for its study:
(1) The effectiveness of treating opioid dependence with
alternate medications, including the three Federal Food and
Drug Administration-approved medications: methadone,
naltrexone and buprenorphine.
(2) The number of treatment providers that are currently
using all three Federal Food and Drug Administration-
approved medications for the treatment of opioid dependence.
(3) The effectiveness of alternative treatments,
including, but not limited to, positive reinforcement
therapy.
(4) The current standards of care that opioid dependence
treatment providers are following in this Commonwealth.
(5) The costs associated with opioid dependence
treatments.
(6) Potential positive and negative outcomes of each
opioid dependence treatment.
(7) How surrounding states are combating opioid
dependence in comparison with the current methods in this
Commonwealth.
(8) The feasibility of reopening closed State hospitals
as opioid dependence treatment facilities;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission include
in its report its findings from the study and any
recommendations; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue
its report to the General Assembly within six NINE months of the
adoption of this resolution.
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