Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: Ideas For Ensuring Equal Access To Mental Health Care; Safe Injection Sites Are Lifesaving
Modern Healthcare: Dueling Opinions: What’s Challenging Access To Mental Health Services?
Nearly 53 million adults ages 18 and older in 2020 suffered from some type of mental illness in the previous year, federal data shows. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the situation. Where [do] you think the industry stands as far as mental health parity—compliance with the Mental Health Parity Act and subsequent legislation? (Shawn Coughlin and Indira Paharia, 12/7)
Los Angeles Times: New York City Is Saving People From Drug Overdose Deaths. Why Can't California?
For years officials in U.S. cities hit hard by the opioid epidemic — San Francisco, Philadelphia and Boston, to name a few — have been trying to open facilities where addicts could safely self-administer their illicitly obtained substances without the fear of overdosing or of being arrested. These efforts have been stymied by a combination of misplaced fear from locals about “drug dens” and the heavy hand of the federal government, which last year blocked what would have been the nation’s first such facility from opening in Philadelphia for violating the “crackhouse provision” of the Controlled Substances Act. (12/8)
The Washington Post: Tough-On-Drugs Policies Have Failed. Supervised Injection Sites Will Save Lives.
New York has become the first U.S. city to allow supervised injection sites for illegal drug users. This strategy may seem counterintuitive as U.S. drug overdose deaths reach unprecedented levels. In fact, a smart and compassionate approach, which other countries have already tested, will save lives where tough-on-drug policies have failed. (12/7)
Scientific American: Abortion Doesn't Have To Be An Either-Or Conversation
We, as nurses, midwives and health researchers, know that using a both-and mentality instead of an either-or mentality makes space for multiple truths and nondichotomist positions concerning the decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy. A both-and approach is a hallmark of Black feminism and one that assumes multiple outcomes, multiple discussions or multiple futures as we work together to address the urgent reproductive health crisis in our country. (Amy Alspaugh, Linda S. Franck, Renee Mehra and Daniel Felipe Martin Suarez-Baquero, Nikki Lanshaw, Toni Bond, Monica R. McLemore, 12/8)
USA Today: Viability Standard Sounds Good But Is Arbitrary
In arguments over the constitutional right to abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, one idea was front and center – viability. Mississippi's law bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, well before the court's "viability" line at 24 weeks. The idea that when a fetus can survive outside the womb is the point at which his or her right to life outweighs a potential mother's interest in making choices about her own life has an attractive logic to it. (David Mastio, 12/8)
The CT Mirror: Anthem Study On Social Drivers Of Health Is A Wake Up Call
For many of us in Connecticut, health and healthcare are at the top of the agenda. As Medical Director for the largest insurer in the state, this is especially true in my circles. Given this, you can imagine how surprised I was to learn that 55% of Connecticut residents were not familiar with the concept of social drivers of health (SDoH) when asked as part of a recent study conducted by Anthem, Inc., parent company to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield affiliated health plans. (Dr. Michael Jefferson, 12/9)
