AUGUSTA - Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, introduced legislation Monday that would create a substance use disorder hotline for health care providers.
LD 162 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a hotline staffed by medical professionals that would offer assistance to health care providers seeking guidance in the treatment of patients with substance use disorder.
"Primary care providers are on the front line and this bill will give them another tool to use to help treat substance use disorders," said Madigan. "This would allow providers to seek help and expert advice from colleagues when treating patients which, in turn, could lead to better health outcomes and recovery for those patients."
An estimated 10,110 drug overdoses occurred in Maine in 2022, resulting in 716 suspected or confirmed deaths, an increase from 632 deaths in 2021. In addition, alcohol-related emergency department visits also increased to 19,602 in 2020 from 18,682 in 2019.
The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Madigan is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents House District 64, which includes parts of Waterville and Winslow. She serves on the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Madigan], c. 305-965-2744