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Ohio Bill Would Require Coverage of Tamper-resistant Drugs
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A bill before Ohio lawmakers would require insurance companies and the state Medicaid program to provide coverage for tamper-resistant drugs that are more difficult to abuse.
Bill sponsors say insurance companies are reluctant to pay for such drugs because they’re more expensive than cheaper drugs that provide the same relief but are easier to abuse.
The sponsors are Republican Rep. Robert Sprague, of Findlay, and Democratic Rep. Nickie Antonio, of a suburban Cleveland. They say the mandate will save money in the long run by reducing state expenses related to Ohio’s addiction epidemic.
Drugs overdoses are the leading cause of accidental deaths in Ohio, surpassing car crashes.
The bill was up for a hearing Wednesday in the House Health and Aging Committee.