November 22, 2022
Opioid/Substance Use Disorders
  • A Kaiser Health News (KHN) article examines how states are planning to spend the $26 billion for the opioid settlement fund. The settlement includes specific parameters for how the states can spend the money: 70 percent must be used for opioid-related expenses (e.g., expanding access to treatment), 15 percent can be used for administrative expenses or for governments to reimburse past opioid-related expenses, and the remaining 15 percent can be spent at the state’s discretion. Experts note that each state seems to have its own approach to these funds, based on their specific needs and priorities. For example, Louisiana carved out funds for law enforcement, Maine allocated funds for special education programs in schools, and Colorado dedicated 10 percent to addiction infrastructure. (Article here)