Article
Drug treatment providers ask N.Y. to declare addiction emergency
By Raga Justin March 27, 2024 for the Times Union
Treatment providers and lawmakers are urgently calling upon New York officials to declare an "addiction state of emergency" as the state grapples with a devastating overdose epidemic. With ongoing negotiations for the state's annual spending plan underway, advocates emphasize the critical need for funding to support substance use disorder prevention and treatment programs.
Despite thousands of annual overdose-related deaths, advocates lament a lack of urgency from state authorities and stress the necessity for immediate action. Key requests include legislation to cap co-pays for outpatient addiction treatment, addressing the affordability barrier, and tackling a workforce crisis within the healthcare sector, where stagnant Medicaid reimbursement rates contribute to burnout and high attrition rates among providers.
Key Takeaways
- Urgent calls for New York officials to declare an "addiction state of emergency" due to the ongoing overdose epidemic ravaging communities across the state.
- Advocates stress the need for funding in the state's annual spending plan to support substance use disorder prevention and treatment programs.
- Despite thousands of annual overdose-related deaths, there's a perceived lack of urgency from state authorities in addressing the crisis.
- Advocates are pushing for legislation to cap co-pays for outpatient addiction treatment to make it more affordable for New Yorkers.
- The healthcare sector is facing a workforce crisis, with stagnant Medicaid reimbursement rates contributing to burnout and high attrition rates among providers.
- There's concern about the increasing severity of cases and the relative lack of experience among healthcare workers treating addiction due to high turnover.
- Treatment providers and affected families are actively lobbying lawmakers at the state Capitol to prioritize measures addressing the overdose epidemic.
From the Article
"ALBANY - Treatment providers and lawmakers are urging New York officials to declare an "addiction state of emergency," citing an ongoing overdose epidemic that continues to ravage communities across the state. "
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