The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) commends state lawmakers for enacting legislation that enhances support for residents coping with substance use disorder, expanding harm reduction efforts and aimed at curtailing the devastating impact of the opioid
crisis, which claims thousands of lives annually in the Commonwealth.
The legislation targets various policy areas, aiming to increase access to opioid overdoes reversal drugs, promote treatment, and augment harm reduction efforts. Notably, the compromise bill includes a critical reform backed by the Medical Society that
creates a more equitable and evidence-based approach to supporting pregnant patients in recovery. Methadone and buprenorphine are crucial therapy options for pregnant people with opioid use disorder, and this legislation modifies the state law that mandates reporting to the Department of Children and Families (DCF), allowing patients to pursue these treatments during pregnancy, reducing barriers to
treatment, and support recovery for patients.
For too long, pregnant patients grappling with opioid use disorder would forgo necessary prenatal care or discontinue their medication-assisted treatment, increasing the risks of obstetric complications, relapse, and harm to the newborn.
The new legislation allows physicians to use their clinical judgment as mandated reporters, distinguishing between legitimate child protective concerns that warrant a referral to DCF and cases where there are no indications of abuse or neglect. This reform
will ensure pregnant patients and their families receive the care and support they need without fear, stigma, or unnecessary intervention.
While recent data on statewide overdose deaths showed a promising decline in 2023, more than 2,000 lives were still lost to overdose. To effectively combat the opioid crisis and alleviate suffering in communities across Massachusetts, we must deploy all
evidence-based public health interventions. This includes overdose prevention centers (OPCs), which are proven to save lives and provide additional pathways to treatment for those with substance use disorder. Although we are disappointed at the lack
of authorization for OPCs in this package, the Medical Society believes there will be a meaningful impact with the number of policies adopted. The MMS will continue to work with lawmakers to underscore the proven lifesaving benefits of OPCs and to
secure their authorization in the coming session.
We are grateful for the engagement and leadership of policymakers on this critical public health issue and look forward to continuing to partner with legislators and all stakeholders toward the shared goal of preventing and reducing overdose deaths in
the Commonwealth.
-Hugh Taylor, MD, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
