Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill that would create a formulary in the state for workers’ compensation prescriptions. Senate Bill 936 was sent to his desk but failed.

Supporters of the bill thought it would decrease the prevalence of opioids and ultimately lower costs for the state. Opponents of the bill thought it would be unfair to employees and allow employers to “pick and choose” which medications employees could receive. Employers could have blocked prescriptions they suspected of being inappropriate.

Wolf said that the proposed formulary would have saved money for businesses and insurers, but would not have improved outcomes for workers or had an impact on opioid abuse. Prior to his veto he issued an executive order that swapped out for formulary for opioid prescribing guidelines. The order also advocates for training of workers’ compensation judges and providers, and a call for the legislature to limit opioid prescriptions to seven days as well as other initiatives.

Republicans in the legislature are not pleased with the governor’s decision. House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin said regulating drugs with an executive order gives Wolf too much power and says he caved to unions and other opponents of the bill.

Read more here and from WHYY