Medicalizing the Opioid Epidemic in the U.S. in the Era of Health Care Reform

ABSTRACT

The medicalization of the current opioid epidemic in the era of health care reform and parity, and its possible dismantling, poses many challenges. Between 2002 and 2013, drug overdose rates quadrupled. Parallel to an increase in prescription opioid overdose, heroin overdose deaths are increasing as patients shift to cheaper and more accessible heroin from the prescription opioids which physicians are prescribing less often due to increasing regulatory restrictions, as well as enhanced education and awareness. In many areas, the leading cause of death for young adults is drug overdose. Unlike previous heroin use in the U.S., the nexus of spread is coming primarily out of the medical system, as the line between legal and illicit narcotics has become blurred. The economic and social benefits of bringing the previously excluded addicted population into the mainstream health care system will be substantial and will bring changes in three major areas: mental health and substance abuse services in health plans; parity protection in all insurance plans; substance abuse and mental health services. Long-term implementation of these changes in a medically oriented system will require the development of many new systems and procedures.

KEYWORDS:

• Affordable Care Act
• heroin
• opiates
• opioid epidemic
• parity
• prescription drug misuse