Initiatives in Mississippi and Iowa Helping to Address Opioid Abuse

Xtelligent Healthcare Media, LLC published an article on the efforts and initiatives being taken in Mississippi and Iowa to address the opioid crisis, describing resulting improvements in patient care.

In Mississippi, the amount of opioids prescribed has significantly lowered over the course of the last few year, more physicians have become certified to prescribe buprenorphine, and naloxone has become more easily assessible. According to researchers, the state’s efforts have saved more than 2,000 lives just in 2017. The list of initiatives in Mississippi continues, with a program aimed towards reducing the stigma around substance use disorder, the development of alternatives to opioids in pain management, and the improvement of insurance form regulations.

As for Iowa, the state approved a bill this month that will increase patient access to medically assisted treatment. Marygrace Elson, MD, President of the Iowa Medical Society, elaborates:

“The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) worked hard to get this bill enacted because medical evidence clearly demonstrates how MAT improves recovery, reduces health care costs and most important—saves lives. No patient should have to face a delay or denial of evidence-based care for opioid use disorder—this bill helps remove those barriers to our most vulnerable patients.”

Learn more about the initiatives being enacted to help combat the opioid epidemic in Mississippi and Iowa, or search for suboxone doctors in Mississippi or Iowa.