$6+1 $billion opioid bill would limit prescriptions to 3 days - Axios

$1 billion opioid bill would limit prescriptions to 3 days - Axios
"Sens. Rob Portman and Sheldon Whitehouse — the cosponsors of the opioid bill passed last Congress — introduced an opioid bill today that includes $1 billion in yearly funding to evidence-based programs. 
It also limits opioid prescriptions to three days to cut down on overprescribing, with exceptions for chronic pain treatment.

Why this matters: The authors' goal is to use this bill as a roadmap for appropriators to determine how to spend the $6 billion over two years in opioid and mental health funding...
Policy changes included in the bill beyond the three-day opioid prescribing limit for acute pain:

What the $1 billion per year includes:

• $300 million to expand first responder training and access to naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug.
• $300 million towards medication-assisted treatment.
• $200 million towards recovery support services, which will help transition people from opioid addiction treatment into long-term recovery, which Whitehouse called a "gaping hole" in the previously-passed opioid bill.
• $100 million on treatment for pregnant and postpartum women addicted to opioids
• $10 million for an educational campaign on the dangers of opioids.

“I wish I could tell you that just by spending $6 billion, we’re going to have a major impact. 

I think it’s got to be spent carefully. 

And so what we’re saying is let’s take part of it, it’s 1/3 of it…over two years and direct it towards evidence-based programs," Portman said..."

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