Trump’s opioid panel could change patient surveys, prescriber training
The commission on combating opioid addiction and abuse set up by President Donald Trump will issue its final recommendations on Nov. 1, with a draft copy laying out policies that could affect everything from patient surveys to reimbursement for addiction treatment.
The draft, obtained by STAT News, includes 53 separate recommendations, including:
- Removing pain evaluation questions from CMS patient satisfaction surveys.
- Requiring prescribers licensed by the Drug Enforcement Admininistration to participate in opioid training program.
- Allowing more emergency responders to administer naxalone—which can reverse effects of opioid overdoses—and in higher doses.
- Directing CMS to review policies which incentivize prescription of opioids over more expensive, non-opioid alternatives.
- Directing HHS to review reimbursement to cover “true costs” of substance abuse treatment, including inpatient psychiatric facilities.
Several of the recommendations had been included in the panel’s initial report released in July. Trump has since declared a national public health emergency on the opioid crisis, though the move came with no promise of new government funding.
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John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.