NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A942
SPONSOR: Rosenthal L TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to authorizing and
establishing a training program for paramedics for the administration of
buprenorphine
PURPOSE:
To authorize emergency medical services workers to administer buprenor-
phine to a patient who has suffered an overdose, creating an entryway to
treatment.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends section 3309 of the public health law adding a new
subdivision 7.
Section two amends the public health law by adding a new section 3055
Section three sets forth the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2017, emergency medical service (EMS) workers reported 15,616 unique
naloxone administrations to individuals suffering an opioid overdose, an
increase of 50% since 2015. By administering naloxone, EMS workers are
able to quickly reverse an opioid overdose and save a person's life.
After administering naloxone, EMS workers typically transport an indi-
vidual to a hospital for further evaluation.
Many people in recovery benefit from medication assisted treatment,
including buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a medication that has been
highly successful in treating opioid use disorder as it decreases crav-
ings for opioids, blocks their effects, and suppresses painful, debili-
tating withdrawal symptoms. The benefits provided by buprenorphine make
it easier for patients to start treatment and reduce chances of relapse.
Unlike methadone, buprenorphine can be dispensed by a pharmacy for use
at-home, which is preferred by many patients.
Buprenorphine can be given soon after naloxone is administered for an
opioid overdose, a moment when many people with a substance use disorder
are most willing to enter treatment. By beginning this medication imme-
diately following naloxone, individuals will have less severe withdrawal
symptoms and be set on a path to better manage their substance use
disorder. In 2019, New Jersey implemented a program to authorize EMS
workers to carry and administer buprenorphine to patients who have
suffered an opioid overdose.
This legislation would create a similar program in New York State,
providing training to EMS workers on the benefits of buprenorphine and
authorizing them to carry the medication for patients who suffer an
overdose and are willing to begin treatment. By starting medication
assisted treatment immediately following an overdose, patients will be
more likely to continue on a path to recovery.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: A.3462 - Referred to Health
2019-20: A.9584 - Referred to Health
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
180 days.
