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We can't fight the opioid crisis without adequate health care - By Elizabeth Warren
By Elizabeth Warren SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
The opioid epidemic touches every family in every corner of the Commonwealth. Last year alone, about 2,000 people in the state died from opioid overdoses, and many more struggle with addiction. The state Department of Public Health offers some hope that fatal overdose rates are slowing, but patients, families, and addiction treatment providers know this epidemic continues to burn its way through our state.
To better understand how to successfully tackle the opioid crisis, I collected data from dozens of behavioral health providers and community health centers across the Commonwealth. These organizations are on the front lines, doing everything they can to help patients in need. Doctors, nurses, social workers, and counselors work around the clock, and I wanted to get their feedback about how to improve and expand support of their efforts to provide addiction treatment.
With help from the Association for Behavioral Healthcare and support from the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, we developed a survey that ultimately drew more than 50 responses. We heard from providers offering services including detox and rehabilitation, residential recovery homes, medication-assisted treatment, and counseling. The information they offered gives a broad overview of behavioral health providers’ needs across the continuum of care.
The report has some good news: Massachusetts behavioral health providers are able to offer affordable, quality, innovative care to patients and families, due in large part to our state’s commitment to make sure everyone gets health care coverage — and the extra resources we got from the Affordable Care Act. Today, over 97 percent of people living in Massachusetts have health insurance, the highest coverage rate in the country.
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http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2017/09/11/can-fight-opioid-crisis-without-adequate-health-care/EX5ZfS3cWBEdohSRsvIqEJ/story.html