WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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The SUPPORT Act, passed the US Senate 98 to 1 yesterday.
Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly spoke on the senate floor promoting provisions to the opioid crisis legislation.
The incumbent Democratic Senator proposed three provisions to the bill, including a measure to expand the use of non-opioid alternatives in Medicare.
That provision is named in honor of Dr. Todd Graham, a consulting physician at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend. Dr. Graham was murdered last year, for refusing to prescribe opioids to one of his patients.
On the senate floor yesterday, Donnelly stated, quote – “This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study medicare’s payment and coverage policies for non opioid pain treatments. It could also help increase access to non opioid treatments and prevent future patients from developing an addiction.”
Donnelly’s second provision to the SUPPORT Act offers debt relief to healthcare workers in opioid crisis areas. The Support Act offers up to a quarter million dollars in student loan debt relief after six years of working in an opioid-affected community.
Donnelly and Young’s bipartisan provisions included measures to help non addictive pain medications get to patients more quickly. As well as clarify FDA procedures that reduce the need for opioids.
The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act is currently resolving details between the Senate and House versions of the bill.
The Support Act is expected to be signed by President Trump in the coming weeks.
