State legislators supporting a measure aimed at addressing heroin addiction in Illinois are hoping to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto this week based in part on costs associated with treatment services included in the legislation.
In his veto message, Rauner said he supports most components of the proposal , including locally-generated portions aimed at allowing increased access to opiate overdose antidotes at local pharmacies.
Parts of the plan dealing with expanded access to naloxone hydrochloride — a medication that counteracts opiate overdoses — are referred to as “Lali’s Law” in honor of Alex Laliberte, who died from a 2008 overdose in Buffalo Grove.
Chelsea Laliberte, Alex’s sister, has since founded the organization Live4Lali, which remains committed to raising awareness about, and access to, naloxone. The antidote, which can quickly halt the damaging effects of an overdose with no side effects, has been credited with saving several lives since December in Lake County.
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The “Lali’s Law” provisions would allow pharmacies to dispense naloxone, according to state Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, who sponsored that portion of the legislation.
In vetoing the bill, Rauner issued a statement to the Legislature explaining that he supports the vast majority of its provisions, including the Lali’s Law portion. His objections center on addiction treatment service funding proposals he said would be too expensive under the state’s current financial situation.
“Unfortunately, the bill also includes provisions that will impose a very costly mandate on the state’s Medicaid providers,” Rauner said in his veto statement.
Rauner said he also objected to subsidies for methadone, a widely-used drug to treat recovering addicts.
Even though Rauner expressed support Lali’s Law, Laliberte said the governor’s position would essentially gut the bill.
“It’s like a half measure. We need the whole measure,” Laliberte said. “If there is access (to naloxone) but no Medicaid coverage, what’s the point if people who need it can’t afford it?”
Laliberte is also a co-founder of the Lake County Opioid Initiative, a local task force that has worked to help increase distribution of naloxone to police and other public safety officials. The group also works on opiate abuse education, prevention and treatment.
On Thursday, Laliberte said she is currently involved with several groups lobbying for the override, including the Lake County Opioid Initiative.
Bush said an override vote could be held next week when the Legislature is in session. The process would begin in the House, Bush said, and if it is approved there, a vote would follow in the Senate. If both votes are approved by the required three-fifths supermajority to override a veto, the original bill would become law.
State Rep. Sheri Jesiel, R-Winthrop Harbor, said she is still reviewing the amendatory veto, adding that she understands the governor’s concerns about cost containment.
“It’s a pretty complicated bill and a pretty complicated issue. I’d like to see a healthy discussion if this comes up, which it seems it will,” she said Thursday.
“I think (Rauner’s) concerns are valid. I’d like to see us sign a compromise,” Jesiel said.
The bill was initially passed by votes of 114-0 in the House and 46-4 in the Senate.
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