Legislative Alert: Missouri Modified Provisions to Health Care (MO SB826)

Sep 13, 2018

On July 9, 2018, Governor Mike Parsons signed MO SB826, "Modifies provisions relating to health care."

Senator David Sater had introduced the bill alongside Representative Robert Ross in 2017, and was in reaction to the opioid epidemic. The bill modifies provisions relating to health care, three of which are of interest to behavioral health.

1. It limits the length doctors can prescribe opioids for acute pain to one week. Prior to prescribing the opioid, a practitioner would consult with the patient regarding the quantity of the opioid and the patient's option to fill the prescription in a lesser quantity, as well as inform the patient of the risks associated with the prescribed opioid, and would offer a longer prescription if needed.
2. It allows a Drug Enforcement Agency-authorized collector the ability to accept unused controlled substances, superseding and preempting any local drug disposal ordinance.
3. The Department of Health and Senior Services will develop an education and awareness program regarding drug disposal.

In an article for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Senator Sater is quoted as saying, "We do have an epidemic in the United States and Missouri. But I think bills like this are going to help curb the problem a little bit. We are going to peck away until we can control this epidemic." This Missouri Senate Minute video "shown below" covers the bill as well.

The bill is part of an emergency clause, and is effective immediately as a result.