HEARING ALERT: The Prescriber Limits Act Of 2017

Important Legislation Limits Health Care Providers from Prescribing Excessive Quantities of Opioids

Note: House Health And Government Operations Committee to Hold Hearing on HB 1432 March 7, 2017, 1:00 PM

“For two years now, together, we have all been committed to facing this crisis head-on. Together, we made the investments to implement the recommendations of the Emergency Task Force. We have gone after it from every angle including education, treatment, interdiction, and law enforcement. We have made strides, but this crisis continues to grow out of control all across our country. We can – and we must – do more to save the lives of Marylanders.” - Governor Larry Hogan, February 1, 2017

Governor Hogan Pledged That He Would Take Bold Action To Tackle Maryland’s Heroin And Opioid Crisis

Governor Hogan: “As we were traveling around the state last year, everywhere we went… almost across the board, every single answer everywhere was heroin was the number one problem.” (CJ Lovelace, “Hogan, Rutherford Renew Pledge To Battle Heroin Addiction,” Herald-Mail Media, 4/25/15)
While Campaigning, Candidate Larry Hogan Noted That Individuals Throughout the State, From Rural Areas To Cities Were Concerned About The Heroin Epidemic. “Hogan, a Republican, said he heard about the heroin epidemic repeatedly while on the campaign trail in 2014. ‘We heard about it in high-end suburban neighborhoods. We heard about it in rural communities and small towns from one end of the state to the other,’ he said.” (Kaustuv Basu, “Wilson Named To Governor’s Task Force Targeting Heroin,” Herald-Mail Media, 2/24/15)
Candidate Larry Hogan Vowed That He Would Combat The Heroin Epidemic “Tooth And Nail” If Elected Governor. (CJ Lovelace. “Md. Gubernatorial Hopeful Hogan Vows To Fight Heroin Epidemic ‘Tooth And Nail’,”Herald-Mail Media, 10/27/14)

Governor Hogan Took Immediate Action To Combat The Heroin And Opioid Crisis

On February 24, 2015, Governor Hogan Signed An Executive Order Establishing The Governor’s Heroin And Opioid Emergency Task Force. (“Executive Order 01.01.2015.12,” Office Of The Governor, 2/24/15)

On February 24, 2015, Governor Hogan Signed An Executive Order Establishing The Inter-Agency Heroin And Opioid Coordinating Council. (“Executive Order 01.01.2015.13,” Office Of The Governor, 2/24/15)

In January 2017, Governor Hogan Established The Opioid Operational Command Center; Center Will Better Facilitate Collaboration Between Entities To Address The Opioid Crisis. “Governor Hogan today signed an Executive Order amending the 2015 Executive Order to establish the Inter-Agency Heroin and Opioid Coordinating Council, authorizing the council to establish the Opioid Operational Command Center. The center will facilitate greater collaboration between state and local public health, human services, education, and public safety entities to reduce the harmful impacts of opioid addiction on Maryland communities. As a direct result from increased collaboration, the center will collect and collate data – data that will be used to save lives.” (Press Release, “Governor Hogan, Lt. Governor Rutherford Announce 2017 Heroin And Opioid Prevention, Treatment, And Enforcement Initiative,” Office Of The Governor, 1/24/17)

In March 2017, Governor Hogan Signed An Executive Order Declaring Maryland’s Heroin, Opioid, And Fentanyl Crisis A State Of Emergency

On March 1, 2017, Governor Hogan Signed An Executive Order Declaring A State Of Emergency In Response To Maryland’s Heroin, Opioid, And Fentanyl Crisis. “Governor Larry Hogan today signed Executive Order 01.01.2017.02 declaring a State of Emergency in response to the heroin, opioid, and fentanyl crisis ravaging communities in Maryland and across the country.” (Press Release, “Hogan-Rutherford Administration Declares State Of Emergency, Announces Major Funding To Combat Heroin And Opioid Crisis In Maryland,” Office Of The Governor, 3/1/17)
Governor Hogan: “We must cut through the red tape so that we are empowering the important work being done in our many state agencies and at the local level all across our state. This is about taking an all-hands-on-deck approach so that together we can save the lives of thousands of Marylanders.” (Press Release, “Hogan-Rutherford Administration Declares State Of Emergency, Announces Major Funding To Combat Heroin And Opioid Crisis In Maryland,” Office Of The Governor, 3/1/17)

State Of Emergency Declaration Was A Result From Findings From The Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC)

State Of Emergency Declaration Results From Findings Of The Opioid Operational Command Center. “The State of Emergency declaration is a result of the initial findings of the Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC) established by the administration in January to facilitate greater collaboration among state agencies, including health and human services, education, and public safety entities.” (Press Release, “Hogan-Rutherford Administration Declares State Of Emergency, Announces Major Funding To Combat Heroin And Opioid Crisis In Maryland,” Office Of The Governor, 3/1/17

Announcement Included $50 Million Investment To Combat The Heroin, Opioid, Fentanyl Crisis In Maryland

Governor Hogan Pledged $50 Million Over 5 Years To Support Prevention, Recovery, And Enforcement Efforts.“The governor also announced a supplemental budget of $50 million in new funding over a five-year period to support Maryland’s prevention, recovery, and enforcement efforts. Rather than locking us into inflexible spending through statute, the governor’s plan will provide flexibility to public health and safety professionals in order to address this emergency.” (Press Release, “Hogan-Rutherford Administration Declares State Of Emergency, Announces Major Funding To Combat Heroin And Opioid Crisis In Maryland,” Office Of The Governor, 3/1/17)

The Prescriber Limits Act Of 2017

Hogan Administration Proposal Limits The Duration Of Prescription Opioids Prescribed Upon Initial Consultation Or Treatment To A 7 Day Supply, Except In Certain Circumstances. “On the initial consultation or treatment for pain, a health care provider may not prescribe to a patient more than a 7-day supply of an opioid that is Schedule II or Schedule III controlled dangerous substance unless the opioid is prescribed to treat: A substance-related disorder; Pain associated with a cancer diagnosis; or Pain experienced while the patient is receiving end-of-life, hospice, or palliative care for an incurable illness.” (“House Bill 1432,” Maryland General Assembly, 2/10/17)