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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 18-672

THE GOVERNOR

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

[48 Pa.B. 2580]
[Saturday, May 5, 2018]

Notice of Veto; Senate Bill No. 936, Printer's No. 1281

 April 27, 2018

 To the Honorable Senate of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

 Pursuant to Article IV, Section 15 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, I am returning herewith, without my approval, Senate Bill 936, Printer's Number 1281.

 This legislation proposes a fundamental change to the way medical treatment is administered under the Workers' Compensation system. The Workers' Compensation system is unique in that it affords health care coverage and coordinates income replacement protection for workers who encounter serious injury, disability, or illness on the job. The Workers' Compensation system is inherently narrower in scope than general health insurance programs that focus more on long-term health outcomes and disease management in larger, more diverse groups of people. The formulary proposed in this bill runs counter to the compact we have made with injured workers and does so to save money for insurers and businesses.

 The implementation of a drug formulary as prescribed by this legislation will not improve overall health outcomes for Pennsylvania's injured workers and will not stem the tide of the opioid crisis that is ravaging every area of our society. Many opioid medications are among the least costly prescription medications available on the market. Since the bill's drug formulary is designed to steer physicians toward prescribing less costly drugs, it will not likely accomplish the often-stated objective of the bill's promoters—curbing opioid over-prescription.

 Since taking office, a top priority of my administration has been to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic. I am proud of the work that I've done together with the General Assembly to address this crisis. However, this approach does not further that goal in a responsible or targeted way.

 My administration has outlined a number of executive and legislative actions that can be taken immediately to address the rising misuse and overprescribing of opioids in the health care system, including Workers' Compensation. Rather than rationing health care for millions of workers who could be injured on the job, we can curb abuse while still prioritizing the individual needs of injured workers and preserve the ability of doctors to make treatment decisions about their patients based on their best clinical judgment.

 For the reasons set forth above, I must withhold my signature from Senate Bill 936, Printer's Number 1281.

 

 Sincerely,

  

 Governor

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 18-672. Filed for public inspection May 4, 2018, 9:00 a.m.]


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