Home Public AffairsPolicy Opioid crisis needs real solutions

Opioid crisis needs real solutions

by Michael Polzella

The president’s Opioid Commission called for health insurers to be held accountable for complying with the federal parity law, which requires them to cover mental health and addiction no more restrictively than other chronic illnesses. Without parity, we will never solve the crisis.

The Commission also called for responding in a three-fold manner: prevention, treatment and recovery. Each approach must employ evidence-based practices, including medication-assisted treatment.

Congress provided $6 billion over two years in a recent budget bill, which is inadequate considering during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis we were spending eight times that annually.

Patrick J. Kennedy, Commissioner, President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis

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1 comment

Eileen p coupe February 19, 2018 - 11:37 am

Valentines day over one thousand pictures were mailed to white house. Can you make sure the white house responds. Our children matter that died From opioids. Thank you

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