Opioid Opt-Out plan gives patients choices, control

State Rep. Mary Whiteford’s plan to ensure all patients are given the opportunity to opt out of being offered, prescribed or administered opioids from health care providers was signed into law today.

Whiteford, a registered nurse, said over-prescription of opioids from health care providers is the root cause of opioid addiction. A total of 2,684 Michigan residents died due to opioid overdoses in 2020.

Her plan, which she introduced along with bipartisan colleagues, requires health care providers and insurers to make non-opioid directive forms available upon plan enrollment. Non-opioid forms not only allow patients to make their own medical decisions, but also bring patient awareness to alternative options to prevent initial exposure to opioids.

“It is imperative that patients are given the opportunity to opt-out of opioid use and are informed of alternative options for pain management,” said Whiteford, of Casco Township. “This isn’t a partisan issue. We all agree that protecting patients from the risk of lifelong addiction to opioid painkillers is good policy. This legislation will save lives.”

Whiteford has been passionate about fighting the opioid crisis for years. As vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee and chair of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee this term, Whiteford ensured continued funding for the state’s opioid epidemic response in the coming budget year. In the 2020 budget year, she prioritized $30 million for unmet opioid substance abuse treatment and prevention needs.

As a member of the House Mental Health Task Force in 2018, Whiteford joined the task force in recommending legislation requiring drug overdose training for peace officers, medical first responders and paramedics to combat the exponential growth in instances of opioid overdose.

House Bills 5261-5264 are now Public Act 41 of 2022.

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