HOUSE APPROVES THE PROTECTING PATIENT ACCESS TO EMERGENCY MEDICINES ACT

(February 10, 2017) – On Monday, January 9th, the House approved H.R. 304, the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medicines Act by a vote of 404-0. The legislation, which was sponsored by Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-8), clarifies existing law to allow EMS providers to continue dispensing controlled substances under “standing orders.”

At the Spring 2016 meeting of the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s National Advisory Committee (NAC), the committee approved a resolution urging CFSI to support the legislation. The resolution was sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the National Volunteer Fire Council.

The legislation will now be considered by the Senate, where it has been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

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