Dissecting the $8 Billion Opioid Bill
- Alexandra Bautista
- Oct 9, 2018
- 3 min read
In the last year the United States faced approximately 71,000 deaths due to drug-related overdoses, totaling around 200 deaths every day. The most jarring statistics stem directly from opioid abuse, accounting for more than two-thirds of these. There is a clear, desperate need for government intervention on the issue, so it’s far from surprising that reformation efforts have been featured at the top of most political agendas recently. One bill aimed at alleviating America’s most rampant drug problem is The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 (OCRA), and it has just passed in the Senate on a 99-1 vote and is headed to President Trump’s desk for a likely signature.
Ins and Outs
OCRA will allocate $7.9 billion to the cause by combining several law enforcement and public health measures. Major provisions include apportioning Medicaid dollars to residential drug rehab, allowing Medicare payments for methadone or Suboxone treatment, and preventing disbursement of illegal drugs, such as the deadly fentanyl. The bill also features opioid prescription limits, safe disposal systems and one of the most beneficial practices, Section 402, which would allow for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe Buprenorphine, known commonly by its brand name Suboxone (a partial opioid agonist that can be used to treat opioid addiction). Despite what seems like an all-encompassing step forward, experts are adamant that several of these reforms are not bold enough, and that funding is starkly inadequate.
Controversy
Many on Capitol Hill have taken time to praise the bill’s efforts. Between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell calling it a “landmark” piece of legislation, the White House declaring it a major step in a “whole-of-government” approach and its unanimous bipartisan support, one would think the bill is a satisfactory solution to an ongoing dilemma. The truth is, while passage of this bill and others like it may be a necessity, it lacks the backing it needs to truly take off and make a difference. Financially, for example, the United States government comparatively spends approximately $26 billion per year domestically on HIV/Aids funding. Functionally, more comprehensive models could better integrate addiction treatment into health care, such as Vermont’s hub-and-spoke system. Without question, an epidemic as massive as this one should be treated with an effort of equal intensity, and experts say that unfortunately, OCRA falls flat of providing the economic and reformative support it so direly needs to.
A Better Tomorrow
For those struggling with addiction, this may feel like a situation in which promised help is on the way, but not fast enough. Thankfully, despite its downfalls, the act does show some promise. Facing issues such as substance abuse, the reallocation of Medicare/Medicaid expenses and expanding the administration of Suboxone can assist many more with the bill than without. Since both parties have directly acknowledged and demonstrated support for solving the crisis, many have hope that a more influential and effective bill will be able to pass in the future.
Safe Haven Recovery is a boutique Florida Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center located in Miami, FL. We specialize in Suboxone Maintenance & Detox, along with, Couples Addiction Treatment. Call us today at 866-447-4650.
About the Author
Alexandra Bautista is a content intern at Last Call Marketing, which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, SEO and Social Engagement in healthcare and tourism. Ms. Bautista is a senior at The University of Central Florida majoring in psychology and entertainment management.
Comments