Arcane Medicaid Rules Tie Hands Of States In Midst Of Opioid Crisis, But Some Have Found Way To Wiggle Free
Regulations that have been baked into the Medicaid program are thwarting advocates' efforts in the battle against opioids. A handful of states are now seeking federal waivers as a way to get around them. Media outlets report on the crisis out of Maryland, Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania.
Stat:
How Virginia Expanded Treatment Options For Addiction (And Skirted Federal Law)
A few months ago, if you lived in Virginia, relied on Medicaid, and were seeking a residential treatment program for substance abuse, you had few to choose from. To be precise, you had four. Today, you would have 71. That increase was made possible in part by a new type of “waiver” from federal rules that has dramatically expanded treatment options for Medicaid beneficiaries here. It has also shed light on the ways in which, in much of the country, the program has limited opportunities for many people seeking help overcoming addictions. (Joseph, 5/3)
The Associated Press:
Overcoming Opioids: When Pills Are A Hospital's Last Resort
An estimated 2 million people in the U.S. are addicted to prescription opioids, and an average of 91 Americans die every day from an overdose of those painkillers or their illicit cousin, heroin. This grim spiral often starts in the hospital. A Harvard study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in February raised the troubling prospect that for every 48 patients newly prescribed an opioid in the emergency room, one will use the pills for at least six months over the next year. And the longer they're used, the higher the risk for becoming dependent. (Neergaard, 5/2)
The Washington Post:
Baltimore Homicide Detectives To Begin Investigating Drug Overdoses
For the first time, Baltimore police have begun investigating overdoses in an effort to trace drugs back to dealers, joining a wave of Maryland law enforcement agencies showing up at 911 calls previously left to medics. A task force of five detectives will operate out of the homicide unit, responding when possible to fatal and nonfatal overdose scenes. More than 1,000 patrol officers are also being trained by the Drug Enforcement Administration on how to respond to overdose scenes. (Fenton, 5/2)
The Associated Press:
Georgia Locals Fed Up Over Cluster Of Drug Treatment Centers
In the northwest corner of Georgia, where cows and crops vastly outnumber people, a small cluster of privately owned treatment centers have sprung up in recent years for heroin and prescription painkiller addicts. And most of the patients aren’t even from the state. (Kaplan, 5/3)
The Philadelphia Inquirer:
Philly Plans 24-Hour 'Walk-In' Center For Drug Users In Crisis
The city plans to open an around-the-clock walk-in center in North Philadelphia over the summer where addicted drug users in crisis could be stabilized and perhaps begin medication as a bridge to treatment. The center would go a step beyond the five behavioral health-crisis response centers in the city that can see and assess patients, but must refer them elsewhere for treatment — often to places with no space available. (Sapatkin, 5/2)
Health News Florida:
Manatee Leaders Say More Money Needed To Address Opioid Crisis
More money is needed to stop overdose deaths, Manatee County leaders told state officials during an opioid workshop Tuesday. Emergency responders need funding for Narcan, a medication that reverses overdoses. (Ochoa, 5/2)
Orlando Sentinel:
Crowd Testifies On Soaring Heroin Abuse As State Funding Cuts Loom
Central Florida’s heroin epidemic continues to escalate wildly, local officials testified Tuesday, and one of the few signs of progress — a jail intervention pilot program — is about to have its funding cut by the Florida Legislature. Before a capacity crowd of about 150 at the Orange County Commission Chambers, a panel of state government representatives hosted the latest in a series of community workshops on Florida’s opioid crisis, hearing pleas from parents, recovering addicts and treatment providers that more resources are needed to keep the death toll from rising. (Santich and Lemongello, 5/2)
