AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill from Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, which would allow the Department of Health and Human Services to streamline access to certain nonprescription drugs and vaccines to MaineCare members by issuing standing orders for those treatments.
Currently, Federal Medicaid regulations require an authorized licensed health provider to 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 states establishing standing orders for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program services. Maine currently authorizes only two standing orders, one of which resulted in access to over 21,000 COVID-19 home tests for Medicaid recipients.
"This bill has incredibly powerful and lifesaving implications for so many Mainers, and I am thrilled to see it receive early bipartisan support," said Graham. "By empowering the department to give broad authorization to dispense over-the-counter, nonprescription drugs and vaccines to those receiving MaineCare, we will make both prevention and general health care more accessible, reducing costs for all Mainers and the likelihood of long-term illness for some of our most vulnerable friends and neighbors."
Today, the federal Food and Drug Administration approved selling Nalaxone, commonly known as Narcan, over-the-counter. This marks the first time a medicine used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose will be available without a prescription.
According to a recent report by the Maine Attorney General's Office, there were 716 suspected or confirmed drug overdose deaths in 2022, compared to 636 deaths the year before and 504 deaths in 2020. LD 282 would expand MaineCare's ability to authorize standing orders for Narcan and other time-sensitive and necessary medications for Medicaid recipients.
The bill faces further votes in both the House and Senate.
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