AMA Has ‘Grave Concerns’ Over What Doctors See As Arbitrary Limits On Opioids
“Pain is a complex, biopsychosocial phenomenon, and individuals experience pain in different ways,” said Dr. Patrice Harris, the chairwoman of the association’s opioid task force. “The AMA believes that decisions around dosages needs to be left between the patient and the physician.” News on the crisis comes out of New Hampshire and Pennsylvania as well.
The Hill:
Doctors Bristle At Push For Opioid Prescription Limits
An increasing number of states and entities in the health industry are putting curbs on the amount of opioids that doctors can prescribe, a controversial move aimed at combating the opioid crisis. These limits have garnered support from various stakeholders and are now being considered in Congress, with a bipartisan group of senators proposing to set a cap on first-time prescriptions for acute pain. (Roubein, 4/11)
New Hampshire Public Radio:
Rep. Kuster Meets With Leaders On The Frontlines Of N.H.'s Opioid Epidemic
Congresswoman Annie Kuster met in Concord Monday with more than a dozen state and local leaders to discuss how to best use funding aimed at the opioid epidemic. Kuster led a listening session where doctors, law enforcement and mental health experts offered expertise on how to battle addiction in the state. (Garrova, 4/10)
The Philadelphia Inquirer:
Opioid Addiction Treatment With Medicine Works Best. Why Don't More Young People Get It?
Overall, opioid use disorder in this age group, especially those age 18 to 24, has skyrocketed. Yet for a variety of reasons, MAT is not reaching many of the young people who might benefit from it. (Giordano, 4/11)
Kaiser Health News:
KHN On C-SPAN: Current Capitol Hill Thinking On Combating The Opioid Crisis
Kaiser Health News correspondent Shefali Luthra was interviewed as part of C-SPAN’s in-depth examination of recent developments regarding the nation’s opioid crisis. Luthra talked about ideas circulating around Capitol Hill — in hearings, in legislation and in budget measures — to combat the problem, as well as how states have been responding, among other things. The program first aired April 5. (4/11)
