Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that expands state health insurance coverage to treat opioid abuse.

Highlights:

• Requires state health insurance policies issued, renewed, or amended after September 9, 2015 to provide coverage for the expenses of at least 1 “opioid antagonist,” including the following expenses (Art. 5):
• An expense for the “opioid antagonist”;
• An expense for administration devices; or
• An expense for any pharmacy administration fees related to the “opioid antagonist.”

• Defines “opioid antagonist” as a drug that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or inhibits the effect of opioids acting on those receptors for treatment of a drug overdose, including, but not limited to, naloxone hydrochloride (Art. 1).

• Authorizes licensed pharmacists to dispense an opioid antagonist in accordance with standard procedures (Art. 1).

• Requires certain individuals to possess and administer opioid antagonists in the event of an opioid overdose, including the following individuals (Art. 5):
• State and local law enforcement officers;
• School nurses and school trained personnel; and
• Operators of an ambulance or special emergency medical service vehicle.

• Requires the State Board of Education and the Department of Human Services to establish a 3-year heroin and opioid prevention program that offers educational materials on heroin and opioid abuse to public elementary and secondary schools by January 1, 2017 (Art. 5).

• Authorizes the Director of the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to establish programs for prescribing, dispensing, or distributing opioid antagonists for the treatment of drug overdose (Art. 5).

• Expands the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Fund to award grants to municipalities or organizations that establish programs to contain and dispose of unused controlled substances (Art. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Bruce Rauner