New Bill Seen as Compromise; Would Set Up Opioid-Only Formulary

A bill promoted by the Massachusetts governor earlier this year that would have created an extensive workers' compensation formulary has morphed into a measure that would restrict only opioid-based medications. House Bill 4470 passed a key House committee last week and was assigned to a conference committee to iron out differences with a similar Senate bill. The measure incorporates elements of several bills that have been introduced in the last 18 months, all designed to combat opioid abuse. Some stakeholders who have worked with lawmakers in recent weeks called in a fair compromise. &...