Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Finance Committee Expands Investigation Into Tax-Exempt Organizations With Ties To Opioid-Makers
Stat: Senators Widen Probe Into Groups With Ties To Opioid Makers
The Senate Finance Committee is widening a probe into tax-exempt organizations — including patient advocacy groups and medical associations — that have financial ties with opioid makers in a bid to shed light on the extent to which these relationships affected the ongoing opioid crisis afflicting the U.S. Last Friday, letters were sent by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who heads the committee, and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the minority leader, to 10 organizations, including the Federation of State Medical Boards, which supports physician licensing and regulation; The Joint Commission, which accredits health care organizations; and such groups as the American Chronic Pain Association and the American Society of Pain Educators. (Silverman, 7/1)
Detroit Free Press: Kratom: Answers About Side Effects, Drug Test And If It's Safe
Users hail kratom — which is sold at gas stations, smoke shops and online —as a miracle cure for pain, fatigue, anxiety and even opioid addiction. But many doctors say kratom (pronounced KRAY-tum or KRAH-tum) is dangerous because it works like an opioid, can make users high and can also be habit-forming. Plus, experts say, there's no real scientific proof it can cure anything. The federal government agrees. In May, a federal judge sentenced a Royal Oak man to two years in prison for illegally importing kratom — he claimed it was incense — and selling it as a medical treatment. (Kovanis, 7/2)
Kaiser Health News: Florida Is The Latest Republican-Led State To Adopt Clean Needle Exchanges
A green van was parked on the edge of downtown Miami, on a corner shadowed by overpasses. The vehicle serves as a mobile health clinic and syringe exchange, where people who inject drugs like heroin and fentanyl could swap dirty needles for fresh ones. One of the clinic’s regular visitors, a man with heavy black arrows tattooed on his arms, waited on the sidewalk to get clean needles.“I’m Arrow,” he said, introducing himself. “Pleasure.” (Mack, 7/2)
