PRINTER'S NO. 846
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
870
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY D. WILLIAMS, BRENNAN, GUENST, HANBIDGE, HILL-
EVANS, HOWARD, KHAN, KINSEY, KRAJEWSKI, MADDEN, OTTEN, RABB
AND SANCHEZ, APRIL 10, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, APRIL 10, 2023
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
welfare laws of the Commonwealth," in public assistance,
further providing for reimbursement for certain medical
assistance items and services.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 443.6 of the act of June 13, 1967
(P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, is amended by
adding a subsection to read:
Section 443.6. Reimbursement for Certain Medical Assistance
Items and Services.--* * *
(h) (1) The use or prior authorization for medication-
assisted treatment or medication-assisted treatment approved
drugs, including buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone or any
other drug approved by the United States Food and Drug
Administration, is prohibited.
(2) As used in this subsection, the following words and
phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this paragraph:
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"Controlled substance." As defined in section 2 of the act
of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as "The Controlled
Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act."
"Drug." As defined in section 2 of "The Controlled
Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act."
"Medication-assisted treatment." The use of medication
approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, in
combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to treat
substance use disorder.
"Substance use disorder." A chronic, relapsing medical
illness characterized by recurrent use of a drug or controlled
substance despite harmful consequences, long-lasting changes in
brain chemistry, clinically significant impairment, including
physical or mental health problems or disability or the
inability or failure to meet the demands of and responsibilities
at work, school or home.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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