Opioid Deaths Are Falling, Though Proposed Medicaid Changes Could Disrupt Access to Treatment
Recent federal proposals may affect Medicaid coverage and treatment access at a time when opioid deaths are declining but future trends are uncertain.
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5 Key Facts About Medicaid Coverage for Adults with Mental Illness
Issue BriefNationwide, an estimated 52 million nonelderly adults live with mental illness, and Medicaid covers nearly one in three (29%) of them, or about 15 million adults. More than 1 in 3 Medicaid enrollees has a mental illness. Mental health treatment rates for Medicaid adults are higher than or similar to those with insurance.
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News Influencers, Opioid Disparities, and AI Bias in Healthcare — The Monitor
FeatureThis edition examines the role of news influencers in spreading misinformation, misleading narratives about harm reduction amid disparities in opioid overdose, and biases in artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare.
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Teens, Drugs, and Overdose: Contrasting Pre-Pandemic and Current Trends
Issue BriefThis brief analyzes the latest CDC data on adolescent overdose deaths, finding that from 2022 to 2023, there was a small reduction in overdose fatalities among adolescents (from 721 to 708 deaths). Additionally, the synthetic opioid, fentanyl, has largely driven the increase in adolescent drug fatalities since the pandemic began, accounting for 76% of these fatalities in 2023. This analysis also explores federal and state policy responses to the drug crisis, such as requirements to stock naloxone in schools, accountability for social media companies, and national prevention education efforts.
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Political Rhetoric Spreads Misinformation About Fentanyl — The Monitor
FeatureThis edition looks at how political rhetoric is driving misinformation about fentanyl and immigration, legal implications of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills sold on social media, and myths about opioid exposure.
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Most Sentenced for Trafficking Fentanyl are U.S. Citizens
Quick TakeFormer President Trump has routinely blamed undocumented immigrants for a rise in drug trafficking and overdose deaths…But most fentanyl is being trafficked by American citizens. …
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Compare the Candidates on Health Care Policy
FeatureThe side-by-side comparison tool provides a quick overview of former President Trump's and Vice President Harris' records, positions, public statements, and proposed policies on a range of key health care topics.
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Will Availability of Over-the-Counter Narcan Increase Access?
Policy WatchMaking Narcan available OTC has the potential to expand access, but several obstacles may limit its reach. Decisions by pharmacies on whether to stock OTC Narcan, the product's placement within stores, and lingering stigmas can impact accessibility. Furthermore, public knowledge plays a role; many people may not realize that OTC Narcan is available without a prescription from a doctor and that insurance may help cover the costs.
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Opioid Use Disorder and Treatment Among Pregnant and Postpartum Medicaid Enrollees
Issue BriefThis brief examines opioid use disorder diagnoses and medication treatment for opioid use disorders in the prenatal and postpartum period among people with a Medicaid-covered delivery in 2017-2018.
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KFF Tracking Poll July 2023: Substance Use Crisis And Accessing Treatment
Poll FindingIn the midst of an opioid epidemic in the United States, two-thirds of adults say either they or a family member have been impacted by drug or alcohol addiction. Three in ten say they or their family were addicted to prescription or illegal opioids. This survey explores treatments received by those who battled addiction, impacts of addiction, and support for policies aimed at reducing drug overdoses.