Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Opioid Commission Unveils Blueprint To Fight Crisis, But Passes Funding Buck To Congress
The New York Times: Panel Recommends Opioid Solutions But Puts No Price Tag On Them
President Trump’s bipartisan commission on the opioid crisis made dozens of final recommendations on Wednesday to combat a deadly addiction epidemic, ranging from creating more drug courts to vastly expanding access to medications that treat addiction, including in jails. The commissioners did not specify how much money should be spent to carry out their suggestions, but they pressed Congress to “appropriate sufficient funds” in response to Mr. Trump’s declaration last week of a public health emergency. (Goodnough and Hoffman, 11/1)
The Associated Press: Trump Opioid Panel Wants Drug Courts, Training For Doctors
The panel's final report stopped short, however, of calling for new dollars to address the worst drug crisis in U.S. history. Instead, the commission asked Congress for "sufficient funds" and suggested giving the White House drug czar's office the ability to review federal spending on the problem. "If we are to invest in combating this epidemic, we must invest in only those programs that achieve quantifiable goals and metrics," the report said. The drug czar's office "must establish a system of tracking and accountability." (Johnson, 11/1)
The Washington Post: White House Opioid Commission Calls For Wide-Ranging Changes To Anti-Drug Policies
The commission, headed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), called for expanding drug courts — an alternative system that tries to channel substance abusers accused of crimes into treatment — into all 94 federal court jurisdictions. Currently they are in fewer than half. The more than 50 recommendations in the draft report also include requiring doctors and others who prescribe opioids to show they have received training in the safe provision of those drugs before they can renew their licenses to handle controlled substances with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The panel also wants to mandate that providers check prescription-drug-monitoring databases to ensure that users aren't “doctor shopping” for prescription drugs. In some states, use of that technology is voluntary. (Bernstein, 11/1)
Stat: Here Are The Final Recommendations Of The White House Opioid Commission
The report includes 56 distinct recommendations, many of which now fall to Congress, a number of federal departments, and local governments to fund and implement. (Facher, 11/1)
Modern Healthcare: Trump Opioid Commission Looks To Streamline Funding Requests Without Additional Cash
The group also got an assist from the CMS, which said it would approve state demonstrations that waive federal Medicaid rules limiting coverage for inpatient substance abuse treatment in facilities with more than 16 beds to 15 days. "This new demonstration policy comes as a direct result of the president's commitment to address the opioid crisis and ensure states have immediate relief and flexibility," said CMS Administrator Seema Verma in a written statement. "Previous policies ignored the growing urgency of the national opioid epidemic and instead put onerous requirements on states that ultimately prevented individuals from accessing these needed services. The Trump administration's approach reflects the pressing nature of the issues states are facing on the ground." (Johnson, 11/1)
The Hill: Trump Opioid Commission Backs More Drug Courts, Media Blitz
Advocacy groups argue a robust infusion of federal dollars is needed to combat the epidemic of prescription painkiller and heroin overdose deaths plaguing the nation. Without more money, they say, the emergency declaration won’t make a significant dent in the crisis. The public health emergency fund doesn’t have much left — about $57,000. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who helms the commission, predicted Trump will initially ask “for billions of dollars to deal with this.” (Roubein, 11/1)
Columbus Dispatch: Federal Drug Courts Sought In Opioid Battle
A presidential commission created to address the nation’s devastating opioid crisis released a sweeping set of recommendations Wednesday that included the creation of a nationwide system of drug courts, the development of non-addictive painkillers and a national campaign aimed at educating the public about the dangers of drug use. (Wehrman, 11/2)
The Hill: Trump Officials Approve Medicaid Waivers For Opioid Treatment
The Trump administration approved Medicaid waivers in Utah and New Jersey to help improve access to treatment for opioid addiction, according to the states’ governors. The waivers were the first to be approved under a new policy from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that will allow states to design demonstration projects to let Medicaid to pay for opioid use disorder treatments. (Weixel, 11/1)
In other news on the epidemic —
KCUR: Missouri Expands Legal Battle Against Opioid Industry
Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley has issued subpoenas to three companies that distribute opioids throughout the United States. The subpoenas were issued to AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson Corporation. As opioid overdoses rise across the country, Hawley is accusing those companies of putting profits ahead of patient health. (Griffin, 11/1)
Chicago Tribune: Head Of Akorn Board Resigns After Charges Of Bribing Docs To Prescribe Opioids
John Kapoor has stepped down as chairman of Lake Forest-based Akorn Pharmaceuticals less than a week after he was charged with leading a nationwide conspiracy, as the founder of a different company, to bribe doctors and pharmacists to overprescribe an opioid pain medication. Kapoor resigned as Akorn chairman Monday, according to a Tuesday filing by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (Schencker, 11/1)
