ACEP advocate Ricky Dhaliwal, MD, JD joined Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) at a press conference in Denver, CO today to announce the introduction of the ACEP-supported “Hospitals as Naloxone Distribution Sites (HANDS) Act” and recognize International Overdose Awareness Day. Don Stader, MD, FACEP, also joined the press conference on behalf of The Naloxone Project.
The HANDS Act would provide no-cost coverage for distribution of naloxone and other opioid overdose reversal agents under Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE for patients at risk of overdose.
"Improving access to naloxone saves lives and gives patients who have overdosed a new opportunity to continue on their path to recovery," said Christopher S. Kang, MD, FACEP, president of ACEP. "Eliminating barriers to this lifesaving drug is a critical part of our efforts to combat the growing opioid and substance use disorder crisis. ACEP is grateful for Rep. Pettersen's leadership on this important legislation."
Related
