Committee advances voluntary non‑opioid directive bill to let patients record opioid refusal
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Summary
A55 95, which would create a voluntary non‑opioid directive patients can place in medical records to indicate they do not want opioids administered, was released by the committee with amendments after members discussed exceptions for emergency care and nonbinding nature of the form.
Assemblywoman Donlon said A55 95 would establish voluntary non‑opioid directives that patients could place in their medical charts to indicate a preference not to receive opioid medications. “This bill is really patient centered. It is another tool in our toolbox to prevent opioid addiction and to help patients who are in recovery,” Donlon told the committee.
Committee members asked practical questions about how the directive would be accessed in emergencies, whether it would be integrated into electronic medical records and whether there would be an override for life‑threatening situations. Donlon said the form would be issued by the Department of Health and placed in physician charts; she emphasized the directive is nonbinding and would not create malpractice exposure for providers who administer opioids in emergency situations when the patient’s condition requires it.
Physician representatives and health groups filed support slips and the committee released A55 95 with amendments. Committee members noted they want coordination with electronic health record systems so the directive can be visible to emergency clinicians and providers treating unresponsive patients.