Kemp signs ‘caregiver morphine’ bill in Valdosta

May 11-- May 11--VALDOSTA -- Gov. Brian Kemp continued his tour through South Georgia Saturday with a stop at Fellowship Home at Brookside.

There, the governor signed House Bill 374, a bill sponsored by District 175 state Rep. John LaHood.

HB 374 "affords residents in assisted living communities the prompt and safe administration of liquid morphine by certified medication aides and proxy caregivers," according to state officials.

LaHood, who owns Fellowship, said medical professionals were told about 18 months ago that certain medications could no longer be administered.

Prior to the bill, CMAs weren't able to give to residents liquid morphine, a medication used to manage pain and relieve symptoms of dyspnea -- difficult breathing.

Under the new bill, prescribed medication will be given in pre-measured single doses to minimize any chances of dosing errors.

The first dose will be given by a licensed nurse to observe the resident's response and reaction to the medication while future doses will be given by CMAs.

"This allows medical professionals to provide treatments to patients in their final hours. ... I'm very proud to be here to sign this bill," Kemp said in a speech to a packed crowd.

CMAs will undergo specialized training in regard to risks, proper dispensing practices, potential reactions and administration protocols for liquid morphine.

HB 374 clarifies "what the scope of practice is for these staffs and constituents in the communities who are hospice patients," LaHood said.

"It will certainly make life easier and provide comfort and a peace of mind for those people."

Reinstating CMAs to dispense liquid morphine will lower health-care costs, according to state officials.

During his speech, Kemp spoke of signing the Patients First Act. He said the act will help figure out ways to "lower insurance premiums, expand access to care and improve health outcomes for families."

"We value life from when it starts all the way through to when it ends," Kemp said in his speech.

Kemp also spoke on topics such as making small businesses number one in the country and investing $69 million into maintaining the safety of public schools.

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