Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
White House Plan Geared Toward Combating Rising Heroin Use By Prioritizing Treatment
Reuters: White House Program To Aim At Combating Rise In Heroin Deaths
With a rise nationally in fatal heroin overdoses, the White House on Monday will announce a plan pairing law enforcement officials with public health workers in an effort to emphasize treatment rather than prosecution of addicts, the Washington Post said. (8/16)
The Washington Post: Treatment Takes Priority In Effort To Fight Heroin
As heroin overdoses and deaths soar in many parts of the nation, the White House plans to announce Monday an initiative that will for the first time pair public health and law enforcement in an effort to shift the emphasis from punishment to the treatment of addicts. (Fisher, 8/16)
NPR: When Rehab Might Help An Addict — But Insurance Won't Cover It
The latest numbers show that deaths from heroin-related overdose more than tripled nationally between 2002 and 2013. Opiate addiction touches every demographic: white, black, Hispanic, rural, suburban and urban. Proposed solutions nationally include more government funding for treatment, tougher penalties for dealers, and proactive interventions to stop people before they start. (Allen, 8/16)
The Associated Press: Federal Grant To Help Pregnant Women Battling Addiction
State health officials say Massachusetts has received a federal grant to treat pregnant women who are addicted to opioids. Gov. Charlie Baker says the funding will help save the lives of women and their children. The state Department of Public Health was awarded the funding as part of the Moms Do Care project, which also includes other state agencies, hospitals and nonprofit organizations. (8/16)
