Senate passes opioids legislation: What’s in, what’s out, and what’s still on the table

Senate passes opioids legislation: What’s in, what’s out, and what’s still on the table

Lawmakers work to finalize sweeping opioids bill

Lawmakers from both chambers are still hashing out the details of a final opioids bill that brings together the legislation passed by the Senate and a different version passed by the House. Yesterday, a particularly contentious provision was scrapped from the final legislation. It would have made it easier to share the medical records of patients with a history of addiction. The AMA opposed the measure, arguing it might discourage patients with substance use disorder from seeking treatment.

The latest version of the bill also won't include a drug industry-backed provision that would relieve drug companies of some of their responsibility for certain Medicare drug costs, lobbyists tell STAT. More on the negotiations here.