Addressing the Critical Opioid Treatment Delays Faced by Black Medicaid Patients

In the past two decades, while the United States confronted a severe opioid crisis, the Black population experienced a heightened catastrophe. Data reveals that between 2010 and 2019, Black individuals transitioned from being the least likely to die from opioid overdoses to having a higher likelihood than their white counterparts. A groundbreaking study released recently uncovers contributing factors. It highlights that Medicaid recipients newly diagnosed with opioid use disorder typically face a waiting period of up to six months before receiving treatment. Black patients encounter additional bureaucratic obstacles in accessing vital anti-addiction medications, like methadone and naloxone. This research indicates that the expected addiction treatment protocols are not being adhered to for Medicaid recipients, intensifying healthcare disparities. Co-author Peter Treitler emphasizes the urgent need for policy reforms to enhance treatment access for all individuals. Given impending Medicaid budget cuts, these critical changes may not materialize soon, potentially worsening the crisis affecting the Black community.