SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 18

(By Senators Maroney, Takubo, Azinger, Chapman, Deeds, Grady, Hamilton, Hunt, Jeffries, Plymale, Roberts, Rucker, Tarr, and Weld)

[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources; Reported on February 20, 2023]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study increasing the availability of prescription nonopioid medications.

Whereas, Over 50 million Americans suffer from pain on most days or every day and for many the only option made available has been opioid pain medications; and

Whereas, Alternative types of nonopioid medications for the control of pain have developed and are being developed; and

Whereas, In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control has determined fatal overdoes claimed more than 1,417 West Virginian lives, with 1,201 of those deaths attributed to opioids; and

Whereas, Opioid addiction in West Virginia has caused unimaginable suffering for West Virginian families; and

Whereas, The State of West Virginia has spent untold amounts of resources to fight opioid addiction; and therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study increasing the availability of prescription nonopioid medications; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the use of clinically appropriate nonopioid medications for the treatment and treatments in an effort to reduce the use of opioids; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the process by which governmental and private third-party payors reimburse patients and providers for clinically appropriate prescribed nonopioid pain medications; and, be it

Further Resolved, That an examination to see if there is a bias toward the reimbursement for opioid pain medications based on the cost of the medication versus the addictive nature of the opioid medications in lieu of allowing for the reimbursement of nonopioid pain medications; and

Further Resolved, That there will be a study of the availability of nonopioid pain medications and treatment modalities for those who fight opioid addiction; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2024, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation to be paid from legislative appropriation to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.