Statement on Proposed New Federal Funding to Address Prescription Opioid Abuse and Heroin Use

Rick Pollack
AHA President and CEO

February 2, 2016

Every day, hospitals see the devastating toll of opioid abuse on patients, their families and their communities. That is why the AHA applauds the new funding proposed today by the Administration to help people with opioid use disorders and heroin addiction get needed care. The critical investment in medication-assisted treatment will go a long way in addressing this crisis. Expanding the number of providers across the nation would help even more individuals gain access to treatment. The AHA supports the CDC’s efforts to finalize guidance for prescribing opioids for chronic pain and is working with hospitals on how to address the issue.

We would also recommend that the Administration include oversight of substance abuse parity laws, re-evaluate the effect of quality measurement on prescribing pain medication, and increase NIH funding on developing viable alternatives to opioids.

At the same time, we strongly support the Administration’s work to address the opioid abuse epidemic and will continue to provide hospitals with the best available resources to stop this epidemic.

About the AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.