News & Media
MSMS Applauds Gov. Whitmer Efforts to Combat Opioid Epidemic, Cut Opioid Deaths in Half
The Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) applauds Governor Whitmer’s announcement on the state’s plan to combat the opioid epidemic and their goal to cut opioid-related overdose deaths by half in five years. In 2017, Michigan recorded more than 2,000 opioid-related overdose deaths and more than 7,000 Michiganders have lost their lives to this epidemic in the last five years. Michigan residents have been impacted greatly by the use of opioids, heroin, and illicit fentanyl. Drug overdoses are killing more Michiganders each year than automobile accidents. And, each of these overdoses claimed the life of someone’s parent, child, or friend.
In addition to the media campaign to reduce stigma and expanding syringe service programs, MSMS is especially supportive of the elimination of prior authorization for the coverage of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for persons with opioid use disorder in Medicaid. As the Governor emphasized “we need to treat addiction as a chronic disease that can be prevented, managed and treated, rather than a moral failing of an individual.” This policy aligns with many other efforts around prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.
Cara Poland, MD, an addition medicine specialist from Spectrum Health and MSMS representative spoke of her passion for treating people with substance use disorders. “The opposite of addiction is community. These patients and their families are why I became a physician.” Empowering physicians to provide patients more timely access to a few specific medicines that stop the physical symptoms of withdrawal and control cravings for opioids, allows the patient to do the hard work of recovery, including 12-step meetings, individual and/or group therapy, and lifestyle changes necessary for healthy living.
Physicians, as health care leaders and as advocates for our patients, are committed to working with the state of Michigan and other stakeholders to champion access and coverage for comprehensive pain management and opioid and other substance use disorder treatment, address issues of diversion and illicit drug use, and ensure an adequate workforce and infrastructure to care for persons who suffer from chronic pain and opioid tolerance and addiction.