A public hearing was held on Tuesday afternoon in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee on legislation proposed by state Rep. Deb Manjarrez that would facilitate the rapid sharing of overdose mapping information to aid in overdose prevention.
Manjarrez sponsored House Bill 2168 to slow down Washington state’s drug crisis by speeding up the sharing of drug overdose information.
“Fighting the state’s drug crisis is a tough battle. It is even more difficult when analyzing data after the fact. This legislation would help us get out in front of the overdose epidemic if we use the information effectively,” said Manjarrez, R-Wapato. “This is a proactive measure. By requiring the data in real time, we can alert service providers in problem areas and potentially recognize overdose hotspots.”
The bill would require the Department of Health to share emergency medical services (EMS) patient encounter data related to opioid overdoses with the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP) within 24 hours of submission of the patient data into the Washington EMS Information System.
The ODMAP requires submission of four data points for each suspected or actual overdose:
- the date and time of the incident;
- the location of the incident;
- whether the overdose was fatal or nonfatal; and
- whether opioid overdose reversal medications were administered.
The measure received strong support during the public hearing. Organizations that testified in favor of, or signed in support of, the measure included the Washington Fire Chiefs Association, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, the Washington Public Health Association, Safe Yakima Valley, Skagit County Public Health, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, NW High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program, and the Washington Poison Center.
Manjarrez said she expects any costs to be minimal since the data is already being reported.
“This isn’t a new, expensive program we are implementing. We can make a difference by upgrading and consolidating reporting requirements. We have watched the drug epidemic cost our state financially through failed programs, health insurance costs, and treatment options,” said Manjarrez. “But what about the hundreds, if not thousands, of lives lost? I hope we view the cost of this program as minimal compared to the pain and anguish it has caused friends, family, and neighbors. We all know someone who has fought this battle.”
Manjarrez added there are guardrails in the legislation to address privacy and data concerns. Law enforcement would not be allowed to use the data to conduct welfare and warrant checks, criminal investigations, or prosecute a patient who was treated for an overdose.
With Washington having the fifth-highest overdose rate in the nation, Manjarrez is hopeful the bill will be a priority this session.
The committee did not take any action on the bill on Tuesday. They have until Feb. 4 to vote the bill out of committee.
The Legislature convened on Monday and is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, March 12.
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