Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Opioid Epidemic's 'Secondary Victims': Cases Of Children Being Hospitalized For Overdose Nearly Doubles
CNN: Opioid Overdose Among Children Nearly Doubled
The number of children admitted to hospitals for opioid overdose has nearly doubled since 2004, according to a new study. The study, which published Monday in the journal Pediatrics, looked at children between ages 1 and 17 who were admitted to hospitals and pediatric intensive care units with opioid-related diagnoses from 2004 to 2015. Researchers found that the number of children admitted to hospitals for opioid overdose nearly doubled to 1,504 patients between 2012 and 2015, from 797 patients between 2004 and 2007. (Lieber, 3/5)
NPR: Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia: When The Painkiller Intensifies Pain
When patients arrive in the emergency room, nearly all but those with the most minor complaints get an IV. To draw blood, give medications or administer fluids, the IV is the way doctors and nurses gain access to the body. Putting one in is quick and simple, and it's no more painful than a mild bee sting. (Dalton, 3/3)
Nashville Tennessean: Opioids Lawsuit: Federal Government May Join Nashville In Fight Against Drug Companies
The federal government may join Nashville and several Tennessee counties in a major lawsuit against drug manufacturers and distributors. The unprecedented move follows announcements by the Department of Justice and President Donald Trump earlier this week about cracking down on those responsible for fueling the nation's opioid crisis. (Sauber, 3/2)
The Connecticut Mirror: As Overdose Deaths Continue To Climb, A New State Initiative
Last week, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state officials unveiled the “Change the Script” campaign — another initiative aimed at fighting the opioid epidemic through the use of information and education. A few days later, James Gill, the chief medical examiner, announced that 1,038 state residents had died in 2017 from accidental drug overdoses. That figure has nearly tripled in the last six years, from 357 in 2012. (Rigg, 3/4)
The Connecticut Mirror: Fentanyl Continues To Drive Deadly Overdose Epidemic
Fentanyl continued to drive the state’s drug epidemic to new deadly heights in 2017. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner recorded more than 1,000 accidental overdose deaths for the first time in the last six years. (Kara and Rigg, 3/4)
Health News Florida: Opioid Bill With Prescription Limits Passes House
An average of fourteen people die every day from opioid related abuse. That’s according to Stuart Republican Representative Gayle Harrell. She’s glad to see a measure moving through the legislature that aims to curb opioid abuse. The House version ensures doctors and pharmacies use the PDMP or Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database before prescribing or dispensing an opioid. It also allows Florida to share its information across state lines to help cut down on so called doctor shopping. Rep. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) says another provision limits the number of pills a doctor can prescribe.(McCarthy, 3/2)
Kaiser Health News: While Talk About Opioids Continues In DC, Addiction Treatment Is In Peril In States
Opioids were on the White House agenda Thursday — President Trump convened a summit with members of his administration about the crisis. And Congress authorized funds for the opioid crisis in its recent budget deal — but those dollars aren’t flowing yet, and states say they are struggling to meet the need for treatment. The Oklahoma agency in charge of substance abuse has been told by the state’s legislature to cut more than $2 million from this fiscal year’s budget. (Daley and Fortier, 3/5)
New Hampshire Public Radio: After Announcing Major Cuts To Services, Hope For N.H. Now In Line For $600,000 State Contract
Just weeks after the organization announced plans to shutter all but one of its offices because it was running out of money, Hope for New Hampshire recovery is in line for a new influx of cash from the state – pending a vote from the Executive Council. (McDermott, 3/2)
