Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
So What Exactly Is In Those 57-Plus Opioid Bills The House Has Been Working On Over The Past Two Weeks?
Stat: What's In The House's Bills To Address The Opioid Crisis — And What's Not
The House spent much of the last two weeks passing dozens of bills aimed at addressing the opioid crisis, an effort top lawmakers from both parties have long identified as a priority. Many are consensus proposals, though a few have generated controversy. Some are substantial in their scope, though many fund pilot programs or studies, or enact grants for which funding will expire within years. (Facher, 6/21)
CQ: House Passes Opioid Bills After Arguing Over Them
The House debated two opioid bills related to patient privacy and Medicaid coverage for inpatient treatment but ultimately passed them Wednesday afternoon. The chamber also easily passed by voice vote a bill (HR 5925) reauthorizing the Office of National Drug Control Policy earlier in the day. (Raman, 6/20)
The Hill: Opioid Crisis Sending Thousands Of Children Into Foster Care
The opioid epidemic ravaging states and cities across the country has sent a record number of children into foster and state care systems, taxing limited government resources and testing a system that is already at or near capacity. An analysis of foster care systems around the country shows the number of children entering state or foster care rising sharply, especially in states hit hardest by opioid addiction. The children entering state care are younger, and they tend to stay in the system longer, than ever before. (Birnbaum and Lora, 6/20)
And in other news —
New Hampshire Public Radio: N.H. Will Soon Have Millions More To Fight The Opioid Crisis. But Where Will It Go?
State officials have less than two months to detail their plans to spend a major increase in federal opioid dollars. ... But attached to the grant are a number of requirements, said state Health Commissioner Jeffrey Meyers, including that the funds only be used for programs that have a data-based track record of success. (Greene, 6/20)
San Francisco Chronicle: San Mateo County Sues Drug Distributors Over Opioid Crisis
San Mateo County sued McKesson Corp. on Wednesday, accusing the San Francisco drug distributor and two other major pharmaceutical distributors over their alleged role in exacerbating the nation’s opioid epidemic. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, is the latest in a slew of legal actions by California counties and cities against companies that manufacture and distribute prescription opioids. (Ho, 6/20)
