The House Energy and Commerce Committee has advanced 57 opioid bills to the House floor this month. In a statement released to the press, Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) said, “We have a unique opportunity to save lives, and we can’t lose sight of the real-world impact of our actions throughout this process. We owe it to the families of the more than 115 Americans who die from opioids every single day to come together and advance legislation that can help stem this tide.”

Although the surge of opioid bills in the House marks a milestone in the committee’s efforts to combat the ongoing epidemic, some of the bills contain provisions many general dentists may consider unfavorable. H.R. 3528, the Every Prescription Conveyed Securely Act, would require e-prescribing for coverage of prescription drugs listed as controlled substances under the Medicare Part D program.

Impact on General Dentistry: As medical professionals who specialize in the treatment of acute pain, dentists support safe prescribing practices and ending opioid misuse. The AGD supports legislation utilizing dentists’ expertise to combat the opioid epidemic.