Bill Overview
Title: Medical Controlled Substances Transportation Act of 2022
Description: This bill allows health care practitioners who are already registered by the Drug Enforcement Administration to dispense certain controlled substances to also obtain a separate registration that allows them to temporarily transport and administer these substances in other states in which they are not registered.
Sponsors: Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]
Target Audience
Population: People who receive and administer medical controlled substances
Estimated Size: 6600000
- The bill specifically targets health care practitioners registered with the DEA, who would benefit from the ability to transport and administer controlled substances across state lines.
- It affects patients who require medication that falls under controlled substances, as they may have improved access to required medications while traveling or away from their primary residence.
- Healthcare facilities may also be indirectly affected by having practitioners who can administer controlled substances more flexibly.
- The bill also impacts state regulatory agencies overseeing controlled substance distribution and consumption.
- Patients in underserved areas or those who travel frequently may particularly benefit.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets healthcare practitioners who are registered with the DEA and their patients who require the administration of certain controlled substances. Thus, the population affected involves both practitioners and patients, particularly those who travel frequently or reside in underserved areas. The $7,500,000 budget in year 1 and $45,500,000 over a decade should focus on enabling registration, cross-state collaboration, and minimizing administrative burdens.
- Practitioners benefit by having increased flexibility in their professional practice, potentially enhancing patient outcomes through seamless care across state lines.
- Patients who travel will benefit from the continuity of care, maintaining effective treatment regimens without interruption due to regulatory constraints.
- The policy does not directly influence individuals not prescribed or in need of controlled substances, hence it holds no impact on a large segment of the population.
- We aim to represent various stakeholders within this policy environment, including practitioners, patients, and administrative entities, while adhering to the financial constraints set by the budget.
Simulated Interviews
Primary Care Physician (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy allows me greater flexibility to provide care to my patients who travel frequently or live between states. It reduces the paperwork and legal constraints.
- I appreciate that it allows for a more seamless professional practice across state lines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Patient with chronic pain (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being able to receive my medication when traveling is essential to my wellbeing and work performance.
- This saves me from interruptions in my treatment while away from home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Registered Nurse (Rural Kansas)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Practitioners with more freedom to manage medications may increase our facility's ability to care for patients effectively.
- It's a positive change, though patients' medication expenses remain a concern.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Psychiatrist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy simplifies cross-state prescriptions during telemedicine consultations.
- It ensures patients have consistent access to necessary medications.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Medical Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial for improving healthcare accessibility, particularly in underserved areas.
- It offers practical solutions to tackle regulatory barriers between states.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Pain Management Specialist (Dallas, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might streamline operations and reduce legal risks for practitioners.
- It's beneficial but doesn't address larger concerns regarding controlled substance regulations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Software Engineer (Miami, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ability to maintain my treatment while traveling eases my anxiety significantly.
- This policy ensures a more continuous management of my condition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Healthcare Policy Analyst (Seattle, WA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a positive change toward harmonizing state and federal regulations.
- The policy eases practitioners' constraints but does not address all regulatory issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Independent Pharmacy Owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy may increase prescription rates, but it could also complicate inventory management.
- It's beneficial for practitioners, but the impact on pharmacies is mixed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Patient Advocate (Boston, MA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy marks a step forward for patient access to medication.
- However, it remains to be seen how state regulations will adapt effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $7500000 (Low: $6500000, High: $8500000)
Year 2: $6000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $7000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 5: $4000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $3500000 (Low: $2500000, High: $4500000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Key Considerations
- This policy could facilitate the administration of necessary medications in states with stricter regulatory environments.
- Potential rise in DEA and state regulation compliance challenges concerning transportation of controlled substances.