An Act To Start a Pilot Program for Medical Substitution Treatment in a Local Community Setting
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0524
Committee Amendment CA_A_S203 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A "to S,P, 193, L.D, 524, Bill, "An Act To Start a 
Pilot Program for Medical Substitution Treatment in a Local Community Setting" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and sUbstituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Develop a Pilot Program for Medication-assisted Recovery in a Rural 
Community at least 30 Miles from Bangor' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. Stakeholder group to establish a pilot program for medication-
assisted recovery in rural location. Resolved: That the Department of Health and 
Human Services shall convene a stakeholder group to establish a pilot program in a rural 
community at least 30 miles from Bangor for medication-assisted recovery using 
buprenorphine or similar oral or injectable fOTITIS of medication to serve individuals 
working to recover from addiction to opioid substances, The stakeholder group must 
include representatives of the office of substance abuse and mental health services in the 
Department of Health and Human Services, a representative of a statewide organization 
representing physicians, a physician knowledgeable in the treatment of addiction to 
opioid substances, a counselor with experience in treating addiction to opioid substances, 
a representative of a federally qualified health center licensed in this State, a 
representative of a clinic where buprenorphine is prescribed, an individual knowledgeable 
in the finances of a clinic offering medication-assisted recovery programs, a 
representative of the City of Bangor and a person either recently or currently enrolled in a 
program dedicated to the treatment of addiction to opioid substances; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Stakeholder group duties. Resolved: 
That the stakeholder group 
convened pursuant to section 1 shall, in its deliberations: 
1. Detennine what programs and policies would provide an incentive to physicians 
who are currently registered to provide treatment for addiction to opioid substances, or 
overcome the concerns of those physicians who would consider being registered to 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
ROFS 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" f(" to S.P. 193, L.D. 524 
provide treatment for addiction to opioid substances, to enroll patients needing 
medication-assisted recovery; 
2. Determine whether the levels of reimbursement from MaineCare, Medicare and 
private insurance are a barrier to physicians treating patients with addictions to opioid 
substances with medication-assisted recovery; 
3. Determine whether state regulations have a negative impact on the willingness of 
physicians to treat patients with addictions to opioid substances; 
4. Develop a plan for a pilot program at least 30 miles from Bangor; 
5. Explore the use of physicians' offices, federally qualified health centers licensed in 
this State or other facilities focused on the delivery of health care as potential satellite 
medication-assisted recovery service sites; 
6. Explore the use of mobile medication-assisted recovery service facilities; 
7. Explore the use of telemedicine for patient counseling and support of physician 
services; 
8. In order to provide interested physicians with mentoring, consultation, quality 
control and support, explore funding for training developed pursuant to the federal Drug 
Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 for interested physicians and for services provided by 
and consultation with established medication-assisted recovery or buprenorphine service 
experts; 
9. Explore the establishment and coordination of counseling sessions for patients in 
new medication-assisted recovery programs; 
10. Explore the use of nurse practitioners, physician assistants and registered nurses 
working under a physician trained pursuant to the federal Drug Addiction Treatment Act 
of 2000 to provide appropriate services; 
11. 
Explore projects with local and state agencies to develop and require job, 
vocational and career opportunities for those receiving medication-assisted recovery 
treatment in their local communities when medically cleared to do so and to maintain 
employment of those already employed; 
12. Propose ways in which the pilot program can access federal funds, grant funds 
from the office of substance abuse and mental health services in the Department of Health 
and Human Services, Healthy Maine Partnerships funds, resources from local health care 
agencies and the eventual projected cost savings associated with reducing transportation 
for patients in this pilot program; and 
13. Consider criteria for participation in medication-assisted recovery, including, but 
not limited to, criteria related to current methadone patients at a methadone clinic, new 
patients needing medication-assisted recovery, the ability of patients to pay with health 
insurance or self-pay and motivation to recover from addiction and be held accountable 
by contract and peer recovery supporters; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human 
Services. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall provide 
a report based on the findings of the stakeholder group convened pursuant to section 1 to 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
ROFS 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A-" to S.P. 193, L.D. 524 
the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services no later than January 1, 
2016. The joint standing committee may report out legislation associated with the report 
to the Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment, which is the majority report of the committee, replaces the bill with 
a resolve. 
It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to convene a 
stakeholder group to develop a plan for a pilot program for medication-assisted recovery 
for individuals working to recover from addiction to opioid substances that is located in a 
rural community at least 30 miles from Bangor. The Department of Health and Human 
Services must report the findings of the stakeholder group to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services no later than January 1, 2016, and the joint 
standing committee is authorized to report out legislation to the Second Regular Session 
of the 127th Legislature. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/24/15 
MaC! 
LD524 
LR 861(02) 
An Act To Start a Pilot Program for Medical Substitution Treatment in a Local Community Setting 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ''A''{S-203) 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services to convene a stakeholder group and report back 
to the legislature are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0861 (02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1