Do Paramedics Need to Legally be Able to Administer Narcotics to Patients? (H.R. 4365)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 4365?
(Updated November 15, 2017)
This bill would clarify existing law to ensure that emergency medical responders are able to administer controlled substances — like pain narcotics and anti-seizure medications — under the supervision of a physician. It would let paramedics, nurses, or emergency medical service (EMS) providers give patients those medicines based on instructions given by physicians ahead of time.
An existing policy that allows standing orders to be granted by a physician about the administration of controlled substances would be made into law. The physician would retain oversight over medical decisions.
EMS responsible would be liable for receiving, storing, and tracking controlled substances under their care in a manner similar to current procedures at hospitals.
Argument in favor
Paramedics and other emergency medical technicians often assist patients when they are in dire need of pain medication or anti-seizure drugs, so it needs to be legally clear that they can administer those medications.
Argument opposed
Existing law doesn’t need to be clarified to ensure that paramedics can administer drugs that are considered controlled substances without a doctor being present, it’s already permitted and that policy will remain in effect.
Impact
Emergency medical responders; their patients; and doctors.
Cost of H.R. 4365
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced this bill to ensure that the law clearly allows emergency medical responders to administer controlled substances when treating patients:
“Without this solution, we risk sacrificing emergency care and endangering patients simply because law and regulation have no kept up with the evolution of modern medicine. This legislation is an important clarification of law that allows our first responders to continue administering life-saving medications when they need them most.”
This legislation passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee on a voice vote, and has the bipartisan support of 134 cosponsors in the House — including 89 Republicans and 45 Democrats.
Media:
The Latest
-
The Latest: Israel Evacuates Rafah, Palestinian Place of RefugeUpdated May 6, 2024, 12:00 p.m. EST The Israeli military is telling residents of Gaza who have sought shelter in Rafah to read more... Israel
-
Trump Hush Money Trial Enters Third Week, Strategy to ‘Deny, Deny, Deny’Updated May 6, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EST The criminal trial to determine whether Trump is guilty of falsifying records to cover up a read more... Law Enforcement
-
IT: Battles between students and police intensify, and... 💻 Should we regulate AI access to our private data?Welcome to Thursday, May 2nd, listeners... The battle between protesters and police intensifies on college campuses across the read more...
-
Should U.S. Implement Laws Protecting Private Data from AI Access?Artificial intelligence is rapidly integrating into our everyday lives, transforming the way we work, live, and interact with read more... Artificial Intelligence