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In a study of more than 3,000 counties across the U.S., researchers found that residents of 412 counties are at least twice as likely to be at high risk for opioid overdose deaths and to lack providers who can deliver medications to treat opioid use disorder.
There’s no one easy answer for how to respond to the opioid epidemic. Cities, counties, and states across the country have tried to be innovative in their approach to the public health crisis ever since concern over opioid and heroin use began to grow.
The causes driving the opioid crisis are more complex than just the actions of pharmaceutical companies. A fragmented health care system, ineffective policies, and current federal and state laws are all contributing to the level of difficulty when it comes to combating overdoses and addiction within the United States.
Making medications more affordable would improve the health of the most vulnerable among us. In some circumstances, it could even reduce total health care spending by averting preventable hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
Out-of-pocket expenses for prescription medications impose a heavy financial burden, especially on low- and middle-income patients with chronic diseases, often reducing adherence to medication and worsening health outcomes. Members of Congress have launched an investigation into the rising prices of life-saving drugs like insulin.