How Obamacare Is Fueling America’s Opioid Epidemic

Time ^ | 13 Apr, 2016 | Sean Gregory

[MtnClimber]

Some doctors say a quirk in the program is a dangerous incentive to prescribe potentially dangerous painkillers

Not long ago Dr. Bill Sullivan, an emergency-room physician in rural Spring Valley, Ill., refused to prescribe a potentially habit-­forming painkiller to a patient that had requested it by name. That might seem like a good thing since opioid addiction has become a national epidemic. But in fact, as a result of reforms put in place under the Affordable Care Act, he may have put his hospital at financial risk.

As part of an Obama­care initiative meant to reward quality care, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is allocating some $1.5 billion in Medicare payments to hospitals based on criteria that include patient-­satisfaction surveys. Among the questions: “During this hospital stay, how often did the hospital staff do everything they could to help you with your pain?” And: “How often was your pain well controlled?”

[MaxFlint]

Yeah, the problem here is not our opioid addiction. The problem is that we have chronic pain sufferers who can’t get pain medication.

This. Controlling the pain of patients is infinitely more important than protecting weak people from becoming addicted to pain medication. This "crisis" looks like a last ditch effort by drug warriors to keep their racket fully funded with the marijuana laws fading away.

[wally_bert]

My first bout with a kidney stone surprised me and the medical people when I felt nothing.

[tinyowl]

Soma

[sheana]

I’ve never heard of it. They all give me vicadin since I take Tramadol on a daily basis for back pain.