Health Policy News

The Health Policy News
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Synopsis of Two Articles About the Health Policy News
Opioid Painkiller
The article “Opioid Painkiller Is Top Prescription in 11 States”, is one of the exciting items in the All Kaiser Health Newsfeed (“Opioid Painkiller Is Top Prescription in 11 States”, 2018). The script addresses the use of opioid painkillers in the 11 states of the United States. The primary concern, however, is coming up with a policy that will ensure availability of all the information such as pricing, regarding drugs in the United States. They will provide transparency in drugs manufacturing, supply, sales, prescription and use.
Although opioid painkillers have remained popular in various states for a long time, their effectiveness was once questioned in the year 2016. Th drug together with others was accused of affecting the aging population, a claim which the manufacturers denied. In fact, there has been an increase in the number of aging adults prescribing to the same. For instance, Norco and Vicodin are still widely used in the southern parts of the United States while Suboxone is very popular in Tennessee. Suboxone is perfect for those patients with addictions related to opioid.
The key players in this sector comprise of the different drugs manufactures, the researchers, the suppliers, the users who are the patients and the government through health institutions. Each category has a very crucial role in the circulation chain.

For example, GoodRx is a well-known research institution in the area. Thomas Goetz, the institution’s chief researcher, has outlined their goal of accountability and transparency in the sector. It is also approximated that nearly 4.5 billion people in the United States, use medicinal drugs for treating various ailments every year with the number expected to improve (“Opioid Painkiller Is Top Prescription in 11 States”, 2018).
The issue directly affects the suppliers and demanders of the health policies as well as the individuals and communities. When discounts are offered by the manufactures, for example, the people will pay less for their medication which is advantageous.
Political Dysfunction in Washington
The second article, “Washington’s Political Dysfunction Hits Community Health Centers Nationwide,” (“Washington’s Political Dysfunction Hits Community Health Centers Nationwide”, 2018) addresses the vital outstanding issues concerning community healthcare and their legislation. The problem has been there for a long time because a majority comprising of up to 27 million of American citizens depends on such health care.
The United States Congress has been forced to review the budget allocated for community health care and if possible increase the same. This should also cover the private medical insurance such as home visits, mental care, and rehabilitation among others. Washington’s political dysfunction as described by the California Health Care Association chief executive officer has brought numerous uncertainties in the health sector. For example, she said the allocated budget is insufficient to run the facilities. They have been forced to reduce certain vital expenditures and even hiring of expertise which has negatively affected their functions. She, therefore, calls upon the Congress to act fast and pass policies that will effectively solve the crisis (“Washington’s Political Dysfunction Hits Community Health Centers Nationwide”, 2018).
The reasons for such delays by the Congress are however not clear. The deadlines for passing such legislation have been passing one after the other while the community and the health beneficiaries wait in anxiety. Whereas the shown down between the Congress (policy makers) and the community healthcare stakeholders, the ordinary people who entirely depend on such facilities continue to suffer. They have been deprived of quality health care forcing them to seek same services elsewhere at additional costs.

References
Opioid Painkiller Is Top Prescription in 11 States. (2018). Kaiser Health News. Retrieved 21 April 2018, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2018-03-22/opioid-painkiller-is-top-prescription-in-11-states
Washington’s Political Dysfunction Hits Community Health Centers Nationwide. (2018). Kaiser Health News. Retrieved 21 April 2018, from https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2018-02-05/political-dysfunction-in-washington-affects-community-health-centers