BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts House lawmakers are preparing to debate a bill aimed at addressing the state’s opioid abuse troubles.
The bill set to come up Tuesday would limit initial opiate painkiller prescriptions to a seven-day supply and set an evaluation requirement for overdose victims who seek help at emergency rooms.
The bill doesn’t go as far as one proposed by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, which would let doctors commit a patient involuntarily to a drug treatment facility for up to 72 hours if they’re considered an immediate danger.
Baker’s bill also limits initial opiate painkiller prescriptions to a three-day supply.
The Senate has already passed its version of the bill.
Lawmakers hope to get a final version of the bill to Baker’s desk as soon as possible.
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