Although partisan politics have divided Congress to the disapproval of many Americans, West Virginia’s senators and representatives are working together to combat an issue that has affected many lives.
On Wednesday, Sens. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, and Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican, introduced “Jessie’s Law,” which would require a hospital patient’s history of opioid addiction to be prominently featured in his or her medical records if the patient gives permission, the Gazette-Mail’s David Gutman reported.
Jessie’s Law is named in honor of Jessica Grubb, a Charleston resident and daughter of a former state legislator who died earlier this year after overdosing on opioid painkillers she was mistakenly prescribed after surgery.
Grubb’s father argues if his daughter’s addiction history was placed prominently in her medical records, the discharging doctor would have known to not prescribe opioids and Grubb would not have died.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives also is considering legislation aimed at combating opioid abuse. Rep. Alex Mooney is sponsoring legislation to remove from Affordable Care Act-mandated hospital surveys questions that might give doctors an incentive to prescribe more opioids.
The questions ask patients about pain management, which could pressure doctors to prescribe more pain medications in an effort to increase patient satisfaction. Reps. Evan Jenkins and David McKinley are cosponsors.
Jenkins’ bill to expand access to care for babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome has passed a House committee. The legislation would identify obstacles to care for babies born to drug-addicted mothers.
The Obama administration has pledged $1 billion for drug treatment and is taking steps to increase private-sector funding and to reduce over-prescription of opioids.
Kudos to West Virginia’s congressional delegation who are putting aside party politics to attack the opioid crisis.
Now if Congress would do likewise on other issues.
