Andrew Cuomo signed a new law Wednesday that he says will combat the heroin and opioid epidemic that has hit the state.
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The new was passed as part of the 2016 Legislative Session and includes practices and recommendations identified by Cuomo’s Heroin and Opioid Task Force.
NY has outpaced the national average in opioid and heroin use and deaths, a report this month from state comptroller Thomas Dinapoli showed.
The legislation limits opioid prescriptions from 30 to seven days, and requires mandatory prescriber education on pain management.
“We’re not leaving it up to the insurance company; we’re going to have a doctor make the decision”, Cuomo said.
“We are losing young people at a death rate that is frightening”, he said.
The legislation also garnered praise from Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. It also establishes that utilization review by insurers can begin only after the first 14 days of treatment to ensure patients receive at least two weeks of uninterrupted, covered care before the insurance company becomes involved.
Dr. Harris Stratyner, an addiction specialist, believes this new law will save lives. Cuomo says he’s already heard from other states that want to mirror what New York’s putting into place.
New York’s 2017 budget invests nearly $200 million through the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic, and that is an 82% increase in state spending since 2011.
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The measure signed by Cuomo on Wednesday will allow for 270 more treatment beds and 2,335 additional program slots, according to the governor’s office.
