Joint Statement from AHA and Oklahoma Hospital Association on Johnson & Johnson Decision in Oklahoma Opioid Lawsuit

JOINT STATEMENT FROM AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND OKLAHOMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION ON JOHNSON & JOHNSON DECISION IN OKLAHOMA OPIOID LAWSUIT

August 26, 2019

America’s hospitals and health systems continue to address the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic on patients, families and communities. To ensure today’s ruling helps communities in need, we ask the judge to ensure that needed funds are directed to the hospitals and health systems that are on the forefront of caring for the victims of this epidemic.

With additional resources, hospitals can broaden access to post-overdose treatment in emergency departments, increase training of physicians to treat substance use disorders, cover the costs of lengthy stays and follow-up care for infants with neonatal abstinence disorder, and invest in electronic health information systems to improve coordinated care and prevent overprescribing.

###

Contact:        

Sean Barry, American Hospital Association, (202) 626-2306

Patti Davis, Oklahoma Hospital Association, (405) 427-9537