Opioid Crisis Declared a National Emergency

(Fall 2017) Encouraged by his drug commission, in August President Trump categorized the country’s struggle with opioids as a national emergency. The panel, headed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, suggested a multi-pronged action plan. This includes imposing mandates that oblige health insurers to provide equal coverage for all types of health care — be it physical, mental or addiction treatment. The advisors are also asking for the development of fentanyl-sensing devices, proposing that all police officers carry the opioid overdose-reversal drug naloxone and backing the implementation of more medication-assisted treatment programs for opioid addiction in the penal system. Beyond these objectives, the commission is advocating for healthcare practitioners in federally qualified health centers to seek waivers to distribute buprenorphine for addiction treatment. The group also recommends a July 2018 deadline for states’ prescription drug monitoring systems to be linked together.

Additionally, U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur pointed out that the Trump administration could help the situation by discontinuing its efforts to strip away the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which increased Medicaid funding to cover the cost of addiction treatment for the poor.

Now that the opioid crisis has been officially named a national emergency, the White House should have more flexibility in the allocation of federal funds for drug prevention, treatment efforts and increased law enforcement. It is important to note that national emergencies are usually reserved for natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes, although public health emergencies are sometimes employed to combat diseases, e.g., the zika virus in Puerto Rico during the Obama era.

Ohio plays a sadly notable role in this national crisis — leading the country in opioid fatalities. The Buckeye State and several municipalities are mounting suits against five pharmaceutical companies, charging that they deluged Ohio with the prescription opioids that brought about its citizens’ overdose and addiction issues.

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