Bill would require practitioners to discuss addiction, overdose risks when prescribing pain drugs

Representative Jason Howard asked the joint committee to report H.2212 favorably, describing the bill as a measure to ensure patients are informed of the ‘‘addiction and overdose risks associated with the drug being prescribed, why the drug is necessary, and alternative treatments that may be available.’’ The proposal excludes patients receiving cancer care, hospice care, and residents of long‑term care facilities. It also would not apply to medications prescribed to treat substance use or opioid dependence.

Howard said the bill aims to address the rising prevalence of opioid misuse and overdose in the commonwealth by requiring conversations between practitioners and patients before prescribing certain pain medications. He told the committee, “The passage of this legislation will ensure that residents of the commonwealth are well informed and aware of the risks associated with the drugs that they are being prescribed.”

Committee members asked no substantive policy questions during the public testimony portion; testimony on H.2212 was limited to the sponsor’s summary at the start of the hearing. The bill text and any implementation details (for example, enforcement mechanisms, prescribed script, or required documentation) were not specified during oral testimony and were provided as written testimony or in bill language to the committee record.

Next steps: the sponsor requested a favorable report. The committee did not take any formal vote on H.2212 during this hearing.

Provenance: - topicintro: transcript excerpt beginning at 00:06:51 where Rep. Howard introduces H.2212: "I respectfully request that you report this bill out favorably. H 22 12 will amend the Massachusetts general laws to require practitioners to discuss the mental and physical risks..." - topfinish: transcript excerpt through 00:09:00 where Rep. Howard finishes his request and counsel moves on to the next witness.