PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A Senate panel is scheduled to vote on several bills aimed at addressing drug overdose deaths in Rhode Island.
A bill sponsored by Sen. Paul Jabour would require insurers to provide coverage for the anti-overdose drug Narcan and other drugs used to treat substance abuse, including methadone and buprenorphine.
The legislation would also require hospitals and health care facilities to schedule a follow-up appointment at an appropriate facility for patients with substance abuse problems within a week of discharge.
A separate bill would require practitioners to register with the health department’s prescription drug monitoring database in an effort to minimize drug diversion and misuse.
At least 85 people have died from drug overdoses in Rhode Island this year.
The Health and Human Services Committee is expected to vote Tuesday.
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