Trump's War On Obamacare Is Also A War On Opioid Treatment
Huff PostLOADING ERROR LOADING INKSTER, Mich. ― Cassandra Barnes was barely conscious and mumbling incoherently when her sister and son discovered her sprawled across the bed. But that success won’t last, and future substance abuse patients might not be able to get the care that Barnes has, if the Republican crusade against “Obamacare” doesn’t relent. “Knowing that a much greater proportion of our patients got coverage via Medicaid or Healthy Michigan Plan ― and a greater pool of potential patients in our target group now had access to coverage ― we were able to make decisions to add services,” Lisa Rutledge, Western Wayne’s director of special projects, told HuffPost. “We would not have almost 600 patients in MAT currently without that coverage.” What Repealing The ACA Would Mean For Opioid Treatment In a rational world, this record of success would inspire enthusiasm and support for the Medicaid expansion ― not just from Democrats, who have always believed in government- Just last week, President Donald Trump boasted that his administration “is determined to use every resource at our disposal to smash the grip of addiction.” Trump was speaking at a press conference to announce $2 billion in new grants to state and local agencies. They determined that “about 2.8 million Americans with a substance use disorder, of whom about 222,000 have an opioid disorder, would lose some or all of their insurance coverage.” Overall, they went on to say, repealing the Affordable Care Act would take away $5.5 billion a year from treatment of people with mental health and substance abuse disorders.
History of this topic
Cutting Medicaid could worsen overdose deaths — and erase recent progress in treating addiction
Salon
Everyone’s tough on drugs again
Politico
For people with opioid addiction, Medicaid overhaul comes with risks
NPR
Drug addiction experts say naloxone could save more Victorian lives — but they can't get their hands on it
ABC
As billions roll in to fight the US opioid epidemic, one county shows how recovery can work
Associated Press
The Biden Administration vowed to be a leading voice on opioid settlements but has gone quiet
Salon
Trump touts progress in combating the opioid crisis but skeptics remain
CNN
Trump claims on opioid crisis met with skepticism and hope as deaths plateau.
CNN
AP analysis: ‘Obamacare’ shapes opioid grant spending
Associated Press
Dispatches From A 'Dopesick' America
NPR
Opioid treatment gap in Medicare: methadone clinics
Associated Press
Trump launches a new drug war, targeting the opioid crisis — but who's the real enemy?
Salon
More Americans should carry overdose antidote to fight opioid crisis, says US surgeon general
The Independent
Surgeon General Warns About Opioid Overdose Epidemic, Urging Americans to Carry Naloxone
CNN
Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Al Franken call for action on opioid overdose reversal drug
Associated Press
Trump declares U.S. opioid emergency but pledges no new money
The Hindu
Trump calls opioid epidemic an ‘emergency’ but offers few new resources to combat it
LA Times
Medicaid fueling opioid epidemic? New theory is challenged
Associated Press
Donald Trump yet to make opiod national emergency official two weeks after announcing it
The Independent
Intent On Reversing Its Opioid Epidemic, A State Limits Prescriptions
NPR
Trump emphasizes tough law enforcement in comments on opioid epidemic
LA Times
The U.S. should rethink its entire approach to painkillers and the people addicted to them, panel urges
LA Times
Medicaid Expansion Has Delivered Access To Addiction Treatment, Report Finds
NPR
The opioid epidemic in six essential reads
Salon
Wooed by Trump’s promises, opioid advocates now worry they were all empty
CNN
Treat opioid addiction with resources, not rhetoric (opinion)
CNN
Former Drug Czar Says GOP Health Bill Would Cut Access To Addiction Treatment
NPR
Trump’s plan for Medicaid could hurt the opioid abusers he promised to help
CNN
‘It saved my life': Talk of Obamacare repeal worries addicts
Associated Press
What’s really causing the prescription drug crisis?
LA Times
Trends 2017: The Drug War Is Over—It's Time to Start a Different One
Wired
America’s opioid epidemic shattering women’s lives
Al Jazeera
Drugmakers fought state opioid limits amid crisis
Associated Press
Obamacare is helping more poor patients get to the doctor even as political battles continue
LA Times
The Obama administration just announced a new policy on opioids that has doctors celebrating.
Slate
Obama Administration Eases Restrictions On Doctors Who Treat Opioid Addiction
NPR
Nearly 1 in 3 on Medicare got commonly abused opioids
Associated Press
Fighting Obamacare, many red states find fewer tools to fight opioid addiction epidemic
LA Times
Feds approve device to wean addicts off heroin
CNN
Opioid history: From ‘wonder drug’ to abuse epidemic
CNN
Obama’s new moves to fight opioid, heroin abuse epidemic
CNN
Obama’s new moves to fight opioid, heroin abuse epidemic
CNN
President Obama seeks $1.1 billion to fight heroin and opiate epidemic
The Independent
Take as Prescribed: Drug Addiction in the US
Al Jazeera
Maine Bill Aims To Make Abuse-Deterrent Painkillers More Affordable
NPR
Across America, The Grip of Prescription Painkillers Tightens
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