WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today announced the Senate passed the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 conference report, which includes language Senator Roberts introduced to fight the opioid epidemic. The bipartisan bill includes legislation from more than 70 senators and five committees. The conference report passed the Senate with a vote of 98-1.

 “The opioid epidemic is not only plaguing Kansas, but our entire nation. It’s particularly concerning in rural areas where many people don’t have access to the treatment they need to overcome addiction,” said Roberts. “The prior authorization process is one of the major barriers to treatment I consistently hear about from both physicians and patients. The Opioid Crisis Response Act conference report includes language I authored to simplify this process.”

The conference report includes a provision to expand medication adherence programs to Medicare Part D beneficiaries at risk for prescription drug abuse. These programs are currently only offered to a small minority of seniors, but they have shown to be effective at improving adherence and positively affecting health outcomes. As a long champion for these issues, Senator Roberts heavily advocated for the provision to be included in the final legislation.

It also includes Sen. Roberts’ legislation to use Electronic Prior Authorization (ePA). Senator Roberts, along with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) introduced S. 2908, the bipartisan Electronic Prior Authorization in Medicare Part D Act earlier this year, which would provide for Electronic Prior Authorization to be used in Medicare Part D. Prior authorization, a request for additional information about whether the patient needs or meets clinical criteria for a medicine to be covered, is currently completed through paper forms, faxes and telephone calls. The use of ePA through a common electronic system will improve the program and lower costs.

The conference report also includes bipartisan language from S. 2910, the TeleCAST Act, which Senator Roberts introduced with Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) in May. This legislation would identify best practices and ways to overcome barriers to offer school-based telehealth services under Medicaid. It would help children living in rural communities who don’t have access to treatment options. 

“This major package of legislation provides long-term solutions, encourages recovery, supports families and reduces the supply of opioids. I’m hopeful it will bring real relief to those suffering from this terrible epidemic in Kansas and throughout the country,” said Roberts.

Senator Roberts is a member of both the Senate Committee on Finance and the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. He is co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus.

-30-