What’s Massachusetts thinking?
The newest twist in the painkiller abuse debate is that Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has proposed legislation that has me in dejected disbelief. The bill would restrict both doctors and dentists from prescribing more than 72 hours of medication to patients upon initial injury or surgery. I understand the thought but it is wrongheaded.
In proposing the legislation, the Governor is reacting to the more than 1,000 painkiller overdose deaths in the state in 2014 and something clearly needs to be done. I get it. But the legislation is an over-reaction and will likely cause unnecessary pain and suffering. Sadly the legislation accelerates the trend of politicians and regulators practicing medicine.