ST. PAUL, MN – On Thursday, Rep. Dave Baker, R-Willmar, had the first hearing for his bill, the Opioid Family Recovery Act (HF1440). The legislation would place a “penny-per-pill” multiplier on pharmaceutical companies for all opioid painkillers sold in Minnesota. The resulting revenue is estimated to total $15-$20 million per year, and would be used toward installing a "doctor shopping" prevention system for providers, child protection, community grants, treatment centers, and prevention and education.
“We had people lined up through the committee room doors to testify on behalf of my bill,” said Baker. “Minnesota families were able to tell their story about the loved ones they lost, about people in recovery, and how hard Minnesota treatment centers are working to save lives from this illness. I couldn’t be more proud of all the testifiers for sharing their story; they made a lasting difference in our state.”
The committee hearing took place on the second annual Opioid Awareness Day on the Hill. Legislators, advocates, addiction survivors, and grieving family members came to the Capitol to voice their support for opioid-related reforms.
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