Guest Editorial
by Curt Schroder | PennLive.com| March 7, 2018
Last fall, Gov. Tom Wolf declared the opioid epidemic an official disaster because no community in Pennsylvania is spared the sorrow of addiction. Declarations, however, are only useful when followed up by action.
The Pennsylvania House will soon have the opportunity to strike a blow against opioid abuse if it passes a previously approved Senate bill that both ensures injured workers get the pain medications they need, even as it prevents the abuse and over-utilization of those medications – especially opioids.
The bill, sponsored by Senate Insurance Committee Chairman Don White, R-Indiana, passed the Senate on a 34-16 vote last October. The House deadlocked at 98-98 when the chamber took it up on Feb. 6. It could come to a vote again as soon as next week. Read more.