SB 365, An Act Establishing A Bridge Program For Emergency Treatment And Recovery Navigation For Persons With An Opioid Use Disorder

TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning SB 365, An Act Establishing A Bridge Program For Emergency Treatment And Recovery Navigation For Persons with Opioid Use Disorder.  CHA opposes this bill as written.

Connecticut hospitals make our state stronger by delivering nationally recognized, world-class care, supporting jobs and economic growth, and serving communities across Connecticut.  Every day, hospitals improve access, affordability, and health equity — providing care to all patients regardless of ability to pay.  At the same time, hospitals invest in their workforce and local communities, even as they navigate significant financial and federal challenges.

CHA appreciates the intent of SB 365 and shares the goal of expanding access to evidence-based, lifesaving treatment for individuals experiencing substance use disorder.  Hospitals across Connecticut are committed to advancing clinical best practices, including emergency treatment of opioid overdose, naloxone distribution, and strong linkage to ongoing substance use care.

However, as written, this bill creates care mandates that may interfere with clinical judgment and imposes an unfunded mandate around discharge planning.  Decisions regarding treatment, including the use of buprenorphine, must remain within the expertise of emergency department clinicians and established hospital protocols, consistent with existing state and federal law.

Emergency departments play a critical role in stabilization and connection to care, but they are not designed to function as substance use treatment centers.  Expanding their role in this way risks worsening crowding and throughput challenges, ultimately impacting access to care for all patients.

We oppose the language in subsection (b) of SB 365.  In an effort to move forward with a solution that can foster the goals of the bill, we offer the following alternative language to allow hospitals that have the staffing, pharmacy resources, capacity, and space, the ability to participate in this type of community care:

Strike subsection (b) in its entirety, and insert the following subsections (b) through (d):

(b) On and after January 1, 2027, notwithstanding any other facility licensure requirement or certificate of need requirement in Connecticut law, and to the extent permitted by federal law, each hospital licensed pursuant to chapter 368v of the general statutes that has an emergency department shall be permitted, but is not required, to (1) administer buprenorphine to a patient who presents to the hospital’s emergency department with symptoms of opioid use disorder without requiring the inpatient admission of such patient to the hospital; (2) offer the patient an opioid antagonist free of charge upon discharge from the emergency department to the extent the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services provides the hospital a supply of opioid antagonists or provides guaranteed reimbursement for such drugs; and (3) provide a list of one or more local treatment programs where the patient may seek community-based care.

(c) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall continuously provide hospitals with up-to-date information on available local treatment program information that hospitals may provide to patients. 

(d) Nothing herein shall be construed to mean the hospital must provide buprenorphine or an opioid antagonist at the emergency department.

These revisions would preserve clinical judgment, strengthen care coordination, and ensure that hospitals can sustainably implement these important interventions while continuing to serve all patients. 

CHA looks forward to working collaboratively to advance solutions that expand access to evidence-based treatment while supporting sustainable, patient-centered care delivery.

Thank you for your consideration of our position.  For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7301.