AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted Friday to advance LD 282, An Act to Allow the Department of Health and Human Services to Authorize Standing Orders, sponsored by Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth.
LD 282 would enable the department to give broad authorization to dispense over-the-counter, nonprescription drugs and vaccines to MaineCare members, enrollees in the elderly low-cost drug program, certain qualified residents and Mainers receiving Cub Care to support access to preventative care and medically necessary services. Currently, Federal Medicaid regulations require that an authorized licensed health provider prescribe certain over-the-counter drugs and vaccinations in order for Medicaid to reimburse the provider for a product. In 2017, the federal government issued guidance in support of standing orders for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program services.
"This bill will ensure timely access to medications that can be unaffordable to people who truly need them," said Graham. "For example, for a parent who needs medication for their child's painful ear infection, going through the process of getting a prescription from their primary care doctor can be a major barrier to badly needed treatment. Implementing a standing order means that both prevention and general health care become more accessible, reducing the likelihood of long-term illness and bringing costs down for all Mainers in the long run."
Maine currently authorizes two standing orders, one of which resulted in access to over 21,000 COVID-19 home tests for Medicaid recipients. Last week, a committee of advisers to the federal Food and Drug Administration voted in favor of making Narcan, a nasal-spray version of the generic drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, available without a prescription. LD 282 would expand MaineCares ability to authorize standing orders for these and other time-sensitive and necessary medications for Medicaid recipients.
The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Rep. Anne Graham is serving her third non-consecutive term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. She represents the community members of North Yarmouth and Gray.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Graham], c. 305-965-2744