National - FAIR Health has launched the Opioid Tracker, a free interactive tool that monitors opioid abuse across the United States on a state-by-state basis. This tool includes a heat map that shows the proportion of patients diagnosed with opioid abuse and dependence compared to the total number of patients receiving medical services in each state for 2023. The Opioid Tracker’s findings reveal that the national percentage of patients with opioid abuse and dependence has risen from 2020 to 2023, with 27.3% of these cases occurring in patients aged 51 to 65. To learn more, check out this user’s guide to help navigate the tool.
The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee has passed S 131, a bipartisan bill introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (D) and Senator Susan Collins (R). If enacted, this bill would authorize physician assistants and nurse practitioners to treat injured workers by repealing a provision in the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act that currently prohibits them from doing so. The companion bill, HR 618 is currently in the House and has received a lot of support with 55 cosponsors (42 Democrats and 13 Republicans).
United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced US S 5228. S 5228 aims to mandate the use of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs). Specifically, the bill aims to reduce prescription drug abuse, enhance patient safety, and improve public health.
Connecticut – The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has recommended an average 6.1% reduction in voluntary loss costs for Connecticut in 2025. Additionally, NCCI has proposed a 6.2% average decrease in the assigned risk market. The Insurance Department will open a 30-day public comment period, but no public hearing will be held. Comments can be emailed to cid.pc@ct.gov.
Delaware – Governor John Carney signed SB 194 into law. As a reminder, SB 194 would allow pharmacists to provide HIV pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis treatments.
The Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) has published a study titled “Trends in the Delaware Workers’ Compensation System 2017-2022.” This comprehensive analysis explores various aspects of the workers’ compensation system, including total claims costs, medical payments, indemnity benefits, disability duration, and benefit delivery expenses. The study provides a detailed overview of how these factors have evolved from 2017 to 2022 excluding data from COVID-19 claims, based on payments made through March 2023. To learn more, check out WCRI website.
New Jersey – S 2283 is scheduled for a Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing on October 7th. As a reminder, if passed, S 2283 would allow for the production and use of psilocybin (a hallucinogenic chemical) to promote health and wellness. According to the bill, the drug would only be offered to people aged 21 and patients who were referred to use the drug by a health care practitioner.
Assemblywoman Eliana Marin introduced A 4838, a bill aimed at enhancing access to prescription medications for individuals with serious mental illnesses. This legislation if passed, would mandate health insurance plans cover these medications without requiring prior authorization, ensuring that patients receive their treatments promptly and can focus on their recovery.
Pennsylvania – HB 1632 has been scheduled for a Senate Labor & Industry Hearing on the first of October. As a reminder, HB 1632 aims to allow firefighters, emergency medial service personnel, and police officers to file workers compensation claims for Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries (PTSI). This bill passed the House back in May and is predicted to pass and be sent to the Governor.
Texas – The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has proposed a new rule requiring notification of an employee’s death before the Subsequent Injury Fund can issue lifetime income benefits. This rule mandates that the Subsequent Injury Fund verify specific details, such as the recipient’s living status and accurate contact information, prior to disbursing benefits. Additionally, recipients must provide this information monthly via an online verification system or through phone/video calls. The DWC is open to public comments on this rule until October 28, which can be submitted to rulecomments@tdi.texas.gov. To learn more, click here.
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