Medicine On The Road

H.R. 1492 heads to the House floor this week. The bill will allow doctors (not pharmacists) to travel across state lines with medications and administer those medications to patients.

Cliff’s Notes:

• Physicians must apply for this privilege
• Travel time is limited to 72 hours
• Practitioners must keep records of transport/administration

Why This Matters

Proponents of the measure point to medical emergencies like Hurricane Katrina and mass-casualty incidents like 9/11. In cases like this, allowing practitioners to move quickly into affected areas with the supplies necessary to treat patients could allow a more flexible national response to disasters.

Opponents cite concerns about the transport and administration of opioids and other drugs which may be abused or used recreationally. Control of these drugs is already difficult in the most affected areas and increasing the supply could worsen the problem.

Who’s Behind This

Sponsor: Pete Sessions (R-TX 32)

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