A bill to create a workers’ compensation drug formulary in Pennsylvania did not pass the House last week after passing in the Senate with a 34-16 vote. The House vote was split 98-98.

Senate Bill 936 was intended to introduce a formulary, which supporters say would decrease the use of opioids and lower costs for employers in the state. Those against the bill thought that it was unfair to employees and would allow employers to pick and choose which medications they could receive while recovering.

State Representative Ryan Mackenzie talked about how states who have adopted formularies have seen dramatic reductions in opioid prescribing, as well as quick recovery times for their workers. He cited a report from the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute which shows Pennsylvania workers receive the second-highest amount of opioid prescriptions in the country. Representative John Maher talked about formularies that exist in Medicaid, Medicare and other health insurance plans. He said it has not been a partisan issue in other states but it seems to have been an issue in Pennsylvania since 79 Democrats in attendance voted against the bill.

Representative Gerald Mullery spoke against the bill, saying it puts the interests of employers and insurers above injured workers.

Read more from Pennsylvania Watchdog and read about the bill from the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s site.