COMBAT Act

Bill: 115-hr-6165
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. O'Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1]
Introduced: 2018-06-20
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cancer

Drug therapy

Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care

Military medicine

Prescription drugs
Latest action: action_date: 2018-06-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-06-20
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Combating Opioid Misuse Before Addiction for our Troops Act or the COMBAT Act</b></p> <p>This bill directs the Department of Defense to impose restrictions on opioid prescriptions provided under its pharmacy benefits program, including by limiting a first prescription to a seven-day supply. The bill provides exceptions for patients with certain conditions such as cancer. </p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6165 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 20, 2018 Mr. O'Halleran (for himself, Mr. Knight , and Mr. Moulton ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To improve the treatment of opioids under the pharmacy benefits program of the Department of Defense.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combating Opioid Misuse Before Addiction for our Troops Act or the COMBAT Act . 2. Treatment of opioids under the pharmacy benefits program of the Department of Defense (a) Supply Except as provided by subsection (b), and except as otherwise provided by the prescribing medical professional, in carrying out the pharmacy benefits program under section 1074g of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that— (1) the first prescription for an opioid provided during a course of treatment is limited to a seven-day supply of the opioid; and (2) any further supply is subject to a renewal of the prescription. (b) Exception The limitation in subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to an individual who— (1) suffers from chronic pain and participates in a pain management program; (2) is being treated for cancer; (3) is being treated for a traumatic injury; (4) is being treated for opioid or substance abuse disorder; (5) receives hospice care; or (6) receives palliative care.