Governor Hassan Signs NGA Compact with Fellow Governors to Combat Heroin and Opioid Crisis

Press Release

As part of her efforts to combat the heroin and opioid crisis and help save lives, Governor Maggie Hassan continued her collaboration with her fellow Governors from both parties by signing the NGA Compact to Fight Opioid Addiction. As Vice Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) Health and Human Services Committee, Governor Hassan helped lead efforts with the committee chair, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, to develop the compact, which 46 Democratic and Republican Governors signed and was released by the NGA today.

By signing the compact, governors are agreeing to redouble their efforts to fight the opioid epidemic with new steps to reduce inappropriate prescribing, change the nation's understanding of opioids and addiction and ensure a pathway to recovery for individuals suffering from addiction.

This marks the first time in more than 10 years that Governors have developed a compact through NGA to spur coordinated action on an urgent national issue.

"Governors have been leading the fight against opioid addiction, implementing a range of bold public health and law enforcement strategies in each of our states, but this horrible national epidemic continues to require urgent action and constant vigilance," Governor Hassan said. "A crisis of this magnitude requires a coordinated and comprehensive response across states and all levels of government, as well the private sector, to support law enforcement and strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery."

The compact stems from a resolution governors passed in February at their Winter Meeting, where they outlined the need for federal action to support states and collaboration from the private sector, particularly when it comes to reducing overprescribing of opioids, a key driver of an epidemic that claims the lives of roughly 78 Americans every day. Though the discussion focused on opioid prescribing guidelines, governors agreed that broader collective action is needed to address all of the factors contributing to the crisis.

"In New Hampshire, we have made real progress in a number of areas outlined by this compact, including efforts to prevent the overprescribing of opioids and to increase access to treatment," Governor Hassan said. "This compact demonstrates the ongoing commitment of Governors from both parties to working on comprehensive strategies to combat this horrible epidemic and help save lives, and I continue to encourage the United States Congress to support our efforts at the state level by appropriating much-need emergency federal funds."

As Governor Hassan has worked with members from both parties to implement a comprehensive strategy in New Hampshire to support law enforcement and strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery in combating the heroin and opioid crisis, the Granite State has already made progress in several areas outlined in the compact.

This includes efforts to prevent the overprescribing of opioids through improved provider training and education, as well as requiring updated opioid prescribing rules; to improve the State's prescription drug monitoring program by upgrading its technology and mandating its use; to expand substance use disorder benefits to the State's traditional Medicaid population and reauthorize the bipartisan New Hampshire Health Protection Program; to streamline access to treatment by limiting prior authorizations for inpatient and outpatient services; to increase medication-assisted treatment across the state; to increase the safe and effective use of Narcan, including through standing orders; and to establish a statewide drug court program.

The NGA annual Summer Meeting begins tomorrow in Des Moines, Iowa. On Friday, Governor Hassan and Governor Baker will host a session on opioid abuse with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell and representatives from the Drug Enforcement Agency and National Academy of Medicine, as well as state experts.

Source