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HB 718

Opioid use disorder; require substance use disorder facilities to provide pregnant women with onsite access to certain treatments.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Zakiya Summers

Mississippi bill requires substance use disorder facilities to provide pregnant women onsite access to opioid addiction medications like methadone and buprenorphine.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 718

Legislative bill overview

HB 718 would require substance use disorder treatment facilities in Mississippi to provide pregnant women with onsite access to medications for opioid use disorder, specifically medications like methadone and buprenorphine. The bill aims to ensure that pregnant patients with opioid addiction can receive comprehensive care without being transferred to different facilities for medication-assisted treatment.

Why is this important

Pregnant women with opioid use disorder face significant health risks, including complications during pregnancy and neonatal abstinence syndrome in newborns. Access to medication-assisted treatment during pregnancy is considered the medical standard of care and can improve outcomes for both mother and baby. This bill addresses a potential gap in care where some facilities may not offer these medications onsite, forcing pregnant patients to navigate multiple treatment locations during a vulnerable period.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Requiring onsite medication-assisted treatment may impose financial burdens on facilities, particularly smaller or rural treatment centers that may lack resources to staff and maintain such programs
  • Regulatory and liability concerns: Facilities may face concerns about federal regulations, licensing requirements, and liability associated with administering controlled substances like methadone
  • Facility capacity and specialization: Some facilities specialize in certain types of treatment and may argue they lack medical expertise or infrastructure to safely provide medication-assisted treatment alongside other services

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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