Author Interviews, Cost of Health Care, JAMA, Opiods / 01.04.2020
ACA Medicaid Expansion Linked to Fewer Opioid Hospitalizations, but not ER Visits
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Aparna Soni PhD, Assistant Professor
Department of Public Administration and Policy
School of Public Affairs
American University Washington, DC
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. Opioids are responsible for nearly 50,000 deaths per year and present a substantial financial burden on hospitals. The rate of opioids-related hospital events has tripled since 2005.
We are particularly concerned about rising hospitalizations because they may stem from a lack of access to treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder. Medication-assisted treatment is effective in treating opioid use disorder but can be unaffordable for people without health insurance.
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