Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
House Legislation Aimed At Curbing Opioid Crisis Won't Include New Funding
The Hill: House's Opioid Response Will Not Include New Funding, Aide Says
House Republican leaders are not planning to include new funding in their legislative response to the national opioid epidemic, a leadership aide confirmed to The Hill on Wednesday. (Ferris, 4/20)
The Sacramento Bee: Yolo County Reports Second Death From Illicit Fentanyl Painkillers
A second Yolo County death related to illicit fentanyl painkillers was announced Wednesday, bringing the region’s total number of fentanyl cases to 13 deaths among 54 overdoses. Yolo County spokeswoman Beth Gabor said the deaths were among three overdoses that occurred in Davis, West Sacramento and Woodland in recent weeks. “This is concerning that it’s so widespread in Yolo and in Sacramento,” said Gabor. “It’s not just in one community.” (Buck, 4/20)
The Associated Press: Delaware Law Creates Panel To Review Drug Overdose Deaths
Gov. Jack Markell is signing legislation to create a state commission that will review drug overdose deaths in Delaware. The Drug Overdose Fatality Review Commission being established with Thursday's bill signing is similar to commissions the state already has in place to review child deaths and deaths of domestic violence victims. (4/21)
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Prescription Drug Monitoring Proposal Begins Arduous Journey Through Missouri Senate
The day Jim O'Neill died, he and his wife Cindy fought about how many prescription drugs he was taking. Cindy left their Wildwood house to get a bite to eat and received a text from Jim: "I'm so sorry." "I just figured — he's on my side of the story," she said. "And I get home later that evening and I can't find him anywhere. Searched everywhere. Found him on our porch swing with a shotgun between his knees." (Sunthrup, 4/20)
