Inside STAT: The Senate could pass an opioids package soon, but a new law is still far off

The Senate is likely to pass a sweeping bill to address the opioid crisis in the coming weeks, following a House measure passed in June. But the finish line remains far off. Lawmakers still haven't touched many of the bill’s most contentious issues, like debates over patient privacy. There’s no sign yet they’ll iron out those issues before the Senate votes. That procrastination means a select group of lawmakers will spend September and October — or longer — hammering out the hotly debated details. Lawmakers, congressional aides, and lobbyists told STAT a final vote won’t likely come until this November. STAT's Lev Facher has the story here.